NHS England has waded in on the controversy surrounding Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow and her wellness company Goop.
National Health Service Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens, speaking in An Oxford Conversation at the Sheldonian Theatre, said:
“Myths and misinformation have been put on steroids by the availability of misleading claims online. Gwyneth Paltrow's brand peddles "psychic vampire repellent" ($27); says "chemical sunscreen is a bad idea"; and promotes colonic irrigation and DIY coffee enema machines, despite them carrying considerable risks to health and NHS advice clearly stating there is "no scientific evidence to suggest there are any health benefits associated with colonic irrigation".
Sir Stevens continued: “While the term "fake news" makes most people think about politics, people's natural concern for their health, and particularly about that of their loved ones, makes this fertile ground for quacks, charlatans, and cranks.”
The official deplored that consumers were risking their health and wasting their money on “too-good-to-be-true remedies”, adding:
“And now we have dubious “wellness” products and dodgy procedures available on the web."
Neither Gwyneth Paltrow nor Goop have responded yet with an official comment.
Sir Steven's comments come days after The Goop Lab was first aired on Netflix on 24 January.
The Goop Lab is an American documentary series about the lifestyle and wellness company Goop, founded by American actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
In the six-episode series, Paltrow explores various wellness treatments focused on “energy healing”, exorcisms, and anti-ageing.
The Oscar-winning actress and Goop have repeatedly come under fire for selling costly and controversial products, such as a $15,000 24k gold vibrator and just recently, a candle named “This Smells Like My Vagina."
In 2017, a consumer advocacy group filed a complaint against Goop accusing it of selling medicinal products with "deceptive" health claims and singling out in particular the brand’s vaginal "Jade Egg", inserted to “boost femininity”, which cost $66.
The company claimed the product could help women balance hormone levels, make menstrual cycles more regular and "increase their sexual energy".
Paltrow had to pay $145,000 in civil penalties for the false advertisement.
Nevertheless, Goop has found a staunch following of clients who have gravitated toward the company's items despite criticism from medical professionals.
The thriving company recently opened a new store in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighbourhood.