COVID tests are among the most sought-after merchandise these days. Everyone is trying to have a few kits on hand, just in case. With this rapid rise in demand, the number of fraudulent tests had also risen dramatically. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently warned the public that several fake at-home COVID-19 tests are circulating on the market.
Further, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled 200,000 unauthorized COVID-19 test kits produced by ACON Laboratories. The name of the test is “the Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Self-Testing),” and the FDA points out that this product did not receive an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the agency. To complicate matters further, the company has another test - the Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test - that did get EUA authorization.
Verywell Health points out that the ACON test in the blue box is the one that’s been recalled and the one in the white box is fine to use.
In addition, over 2 million Ellume COVID-19 Home Tests, which were initially authorized but turned out to give too many false positives, were also recalled.
If you're not sure if the test you have at home is real, you can easily check it on the FDA website. Their website lists many test kits and features the brand names of each product for easy reference. You can access it here:
FDA list of authorized COVID-19 tests
You can also reference this list to avoid buying a counterfeit test. When purchasing an at-home COVID test, choose a reliable source like your local pharmacy. Avoid buying tests from street vendors, websites other than pharmacies, through email or telephone calls. There have been reports of vendors selling expired or fake tests in old boxes, as well as tests from unknown foreign sources.
“Packaging should also not be in foreign languages, and all kits should come in boxes, not as individual pieces or in plastic bags,” said Geoff Trenkle from Total Testing Solutions, a company that produces COVID-19 tests, to Healthline.
If someone is selling tests door-to-door or contacts you about COVID tests via telephone or email, this is a red flag. Scammers interested in your personal information with the goal of identity theft will often call or visit unknowing consumers and offer them free COVID tests in exchange for social security numbers and other personal data.
FDA Approved & FDA Certified: Do They Mean the Same Thing?
FDA Clearance, FDA Approval, FDA Certification, and FDA Registration - you see and hear these terms used all the time. But what do they really mean?
How Accurate ARE COVID-19 Tests?
Here we distinguish between the available Covid-19 type of tests - diagnostic and antibody - and their respective accuracy.
Not All COVID Jabs Work Equally Well For the Delta Strain
How well do existing vaccines prevent illness and hospitalizations triggered by the Delta variant of COVID-19?
WARNING: Don't Fall for These Common Instagram Scams!
Protect yourself from phishing on Instagram with these tips.
COVID-19 ‘Stealth’ Subvariant - What Is It?
Is the so-called new COVID-19 "stealth" subvariant of Omicron truly capable of evading current tests?
9 Facebook Marketplace Scams You Should be Wary Of
Facebook Marketplace scams have become more common than you perhaps realize. Here’s how you can avoid them.
Health Tips: The Best Natural Alternative for Viagra
Drinking this healthy drink everyday can help cure erectile dysfunction
How to Fix Your Sleep Schedule – Science-Backed Facts
Find out how your circadian system functions as an internal clock to keep your body running.
Discover What Really Causes Kidney Stones In This Video
Kidney stones can be an incredibly painful affliction, often leading to surgery in order for them to be removed from the body. Find out what causes them here.
Difficulty Sleeping? Try This Healthy Drink Before Bed
Struggling with sleep? This natural drink can help.
10 Simple Habit Changes Will Help You Quickly Lose Weight
Ten easy to follow habit changes that will help you take down those pounds much sooner.
10 Healing Scents That Can Do Wonders for Body and Mind
Smell evokes memories and happy memories but there’s more to scent than nostalgia. Smell offers many benefits for your body and mind.
Relieve Pain in the Feet and Heels in Just a Few Minutes!
Do you experience frequent pain at the bottom of the feet? If so, check out these simple exercises for instant relief!
What Happens When We Eat Oatmeal Every Day?
Why is eating oatmeal every day so healthy, and what happens to our body when we stick to it?
Feeling Bloated? This Is How to Improve Digestion Quickly
How can you improve your digestion quickly? This guide explains.
Doctors Explain: 2 Powerful Tools in Dealing With Anxiety
A renowned doctor equips you with not one, but two phenomenal tools to effectively manage and control your stress.
This Doctor Tried the Keto Diet and This is What He Thinks
Curious to try the KETO Diet? Listen to what a doctor has to say first.
Reduce Intestinal Inflammation with This Amazing Drink
Watch this video to know about a potent juice that can help reduce intestinal inflammation.
This Tasty Drink Will Help You Shed Those Extra Pounds
If you struggle to lose weight, this healthy and tasty drink could be the answer to your prayers!
Discover What Happens In Your Body When You Have a Fever
Have you ever wondered exactly why does our body produce a fever? Find out more in this video.
Doctor Tip: How to Prevent Ingrown Hair
In this insightful video, Dr. Adedeji shares her expertise on preventing ingrown hairs.
Can STRESS Give Your Bad Breath?
Did you know that your emotional state can contribute to bad breath?
What Drinking Whiskey Actually Does to Your Body
While we now know that whiskey isn't the cure-all medicine people once though it was, it does have a few proven health benefits.
5 Common Myths About Sugar We Must Stop Believing
In this video, we discover the truth behind 5 of the most common myths about sugar.
Here’s Why You Should NEVER Snooze the Morning Alarm
A surprising reason why you feel groggy every morning lies in your habit of snoozing the alarm button. To learn why, watch this short video.
Lose Weight by Using This Japanese Breathing Technique
This extraordinary deep-breathing weight-loss technique is known as the Japanese breathing technique to losing weight.
This is the Most Effective Way to Remove Ear Wax at Home
Remove earwax at home with this effective hack.
Learn Three Vagus Nerve Exercises for Anxiety Relief
In this video, you'll be shown three exercises of the vagus nerve to help mitigate anxiety and promote peacefulness.
Ear Check: How Old is Your Hearing?
Try this handy and quick hearing test to see if your hearing is impaired, old for your age or younger than you!
Prevent and Treat a Hump Within a Month!
These exercises will make sure you don't develop a hump - or treat the one you have.
10 Most Frequent Misdiagnoses Made by Doctors
In the US, 1 out of every 20 adults are misdiagnosed. Here are 10 conditions that are commonly missed or mistaken for something else!
Restorative Yoga to Relieve Sciatica You Can Do Lying Down
This yoga practice is safe for those suffering from sciatica and was compiled specifically to help relieve the pain associated with it
Forget Olive Oil, it's the Leaves Where the Power Lies
Olives and olive oil are on everyone's shopping lists. But what about olive leaves? Here we list 10 health benefits to be had from olive leaf extract.
WARNING: Who Shouldn't Consume Turmeric? Find Out Here
Discover more about who shouldn't consume turmeric or curcumin in this video:
How to Get Rid of Eye Floaters: Natural Remedies
A doctor explains how to get rid of eye floaters.
Doctor Tip: How to Drain Sinus and Clear Nose in 1 Move!
This doctor has a genius routine for draining your sinuses while also clearing your nose.
6 NATURAL Ways to Treat Swollen Feet & Ankles
Swelling in your feet and ankles can lead to a variety of complications. Here’s how you can get rid of the naturally.
9 Foods That Will Protect Your Skin From the Sun
These 9 foods each contributes something to the fight between your skin and the harmful UV rays of the sun.
Is Breakfast REALLY the Most Important Meal?
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day - truth or myth? Watch to find out what happens to your body when you stop eating breakfast for two weeks.
10 Great Uses For Your Leftover Stale Bread
Sometimes bread gets stale, but next time don't throw it away - you can still put it to good use!
3 Easy Exercises to Alleviate Light-Headedness
If you're feeling dizzy or out of balance, these three exercises will help alleviate your symptoms.
Is Sleeping a Full 8 Hours a Night Not a Good Idea?
A neuroscientist explains why eight hours of sleep every night might not be best for you.
Looking at Caffeine, Shampoo and Rosemary for Hair Growth
Looking at the real research done behind these ingredients helps us see which really help and which still needs more research to know if they are effective on humans.
Instant Back Pain Relief - How to Decompress the Spine
These spinal decompression exercises will help you relieve the pain, stiffness, and pressure throughout the entire spine almost instantly.
Liver Cirrhosis: What You Need to Watch Out for
One major complication that can occur in the liver is cirrhosis, and this comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to deal with it.
Here's a Fast Technique to Put You to Sleep In 1 Minute
Struggling to fall asleep at night? Here’s a super exercise that might make you doze off in just 60 seconds.
What Happens When You Quit Sugar? You'll Be Surprised!
What happens to your body when you quit sugar? Find out!