Just learned something new about the FDA and colloidal silver... I hadn't looked on their site in several months but was prodded to do so because of queries sent to me through email. Since 1997 the Center for Veterinary Medicine of the FDA has stated that colloidal silver is NOT suitable for use in any animal. This was republished on line earlier this year. COLLOIDAL SILVER NOT APPROVED [...] FDA is not aware of any substantial scientific evidence that supports the safe and effective use of colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts for any animal disease condition. Also, in the October 15, 1996 Federal Register, FDA proposed to establish that all over-the-counter human drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts for internal or external use are not generally recognized as safe and effective and are misbranded. [...] As of last month however colloidal silver is apparently not allowed to be sold for us in humans as a labelled medicine. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/departs/1999/699_upd.html FDA Bans Colloidal Silver Products, Cites Lack of Data [...] Under a rule recently finalized by FDA, drug products containing colloidal silver or silver salts are not recognized as safe and effective. These products, labeled to treat a wide variety of illnesses in adults and children, including AIDS, cancer, syphilis, scarlet fever, shingles, herpes, and pneumonia, have caused some people's skin to take on a permanent blue-gray discoloration. [...] And a word of caution to those who still insist on pushing this quack medicine on the FML and to ferret owners, it would be very hard to do any ferrets in any shelter or anyone's home any good from prison. Several other 'miracle' cure type things have been touted on the list. I'd advise caution on the use of tonics, medicines and even some diets that claim some sort of curative powers over cancers and the like. A couple has been sent to prison for touting ozone and colloidal silver as 'miracle cures' much as several folks here have stated. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/departs/1999/699_irs.html [...] Kanzyme II was colloidal silver, also an unapproved drug (see "FDA Bans Colloidal Silver Products, Cites Lack of Data" in this issue). Thiefault promoted and sold it as an accompaniment to ozone therapy for treating cancer. Product literature claimed the product replaced the body's store of silver, a substance lacking in cancer patients. However, FDA is not aware of any scientific studies that support this claim. OCI's investigation, complemented by a multi-year IRS investigation, led in 1998 to a seven-count indictment against Thiefault and Barber. FDA-related charges focused on the couple's involvement with ozone generators and not the unapproved drugs because the devices appeared to be their main business thrust--and source of income, according to OCI. [...] I'd be very careful about making the entirely unsubstantiated claims about c.s. curing ANYTHING. I have no worries about any legal ramifications of anything I have ever stated about colloidal silver. Some folks claim that only colloids of given sizes are good, other sizes are bad. Other folks claim different sizes are safe. While still others claim all colloids will be the exact same size due to the process used to create all colloidal silvers is effectively the same. Some say only yellow c.s. is safe. Others claim whatever color they happen to sell is safe. But its always what the particular 'writer' is selling that is better. Uh huh... To me its a "buy mine" type of issue. No colloidal silver products are known to be safe or effective. None. I think I'll trust the ONLY experts that are involved - those at the FDA. bill [Posted in FML issue 2911]