FACT CHECK: Diabetes ‘cure’ Golden Insu not FDA-approved
Claim: The product Golden Insu, marketing itself as a doctor-recommended cure for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, is approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: Uploaded on August 1, the video advertisement bearing the claim has received 708 reactions, 242 comments, and 364,000 views as of writing.
What the post says: Along with a sticker bearing the label “FDA Approved,” the post includes several graphic depictions of the complications associated with diabetes. At the 0:32 mark of the video, an image of cardiologist and online health personality Dr. Willie Ong is used to claim that he endorsed the product.
The same image of Ong is also misused throughout other advertisement materials on the page.
The facts: Contrary to the post’s claim, Golden Insu is not listed in the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approved food and drug products. In fact, a public advisory was issued by the agency on November 8, 2023, warning healthcare professionals and the general public not to purchase or consume the mentioned unregistered food product.
As the product did not go through the FDA’s registration process and was not issued a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR), the agency said it could not guarantee its quality and safety.
“All concerned establishments are warned not to distribute, advertise, or sell the said violative food product until CPR is issued, otherwise, regulatory actions and sanctions shall be strictly pursued,” the advisory added.
In accordance with Republic Act No. 9711, also known as the “Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009,” selling health products without proper FDA authorization is prohibited.
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Fake endorsement: Ong does not endorse Golden Insu. The page altered an old photo of the cardiologist to make him appear to be holding the product.
Ong also previously told Rappler that he and his wife endorse only Birch Tree Advance, a nutritional milk for seniors.
No cure: There is no reported cure for diabetes. The Department of Health had previously said that non-communicable diseases such as diabetes can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle and not by the use of certain products sold online. (READ: Things to know about diabetes)
Similarly, the World Health Organization recommends managing diabetes through diet, exercise, medication, and regular check-ups to prevent or delay complications. (READ: Diabetes is not a life sentence: How Filipinos can manage the ‘lifestyle disease’ from home)
Previous false claims: Rappler has debunked products not listed on the FDA-approved drug and food list:
- FACT CHECK: Former adviser of task force vs COVID-19 did not develop hypertension cure
- FACT CHECK: Male sexual enhancement pill Japan Tengsu not FDA-approved
- FACT CHECK: Manipulated video used in ‘vision cure’ ad
– Larry Chavez/Rappler.com
Larry Chavez is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
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