Controversial chef Pete Evans has been fined for unlawfully advertising therapeutics goods. Photo / Supplied
Controversial chef Pete Evans has been fined for unlawfully advertising therapeutics goods. Photo / Supplied
Controversial celebrity chef Pete Evans has been slapped with an $85,000 fine for unlawful advertising.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued the former My Kitchen Rules judge, 48, six fines that totalled A$79,920 ($85,703) as well as a directions notice to company Peter Evans Chef Pty Ltd to ensure the non-compliant advertising was removed.
The fines were issued for advertising therapeutics goods that were not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) at the time.
This includes a BioCharger device, hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers and two oral medicines.
Under the TGA Act, goods — like medical devices and medicines — must be entered in the ARTG before they can lawfully be advertised in Australia.
"It is a requirement of the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code (No 2) 2018 that products are endorsed by health professionals, health practitioners or medical researchers," the TGA said in a statement.
Evans' company was issued two infringement notices in August 2020 over breaches of the Act relating to the BioCharger device.
"At that time the TGA issued a warning to the company about other products.
"Due to the repeated nature of the alleged advertising breaches, the TGA has also issued a directions notice to Mr Evans and his company to cease advertising therapeutic goods not entered in the ARTG and to discontinue making various claims about therapeutic products."
Evans began sharing controversial social media posts throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, claiming it was a hoax.
This led to Facebook and Instagram forcing him off their networks for repeatedly sharing "debunked claims" about the virus and vaccinations.
Facebook removed the disgraced chef's profile from its platform in December last year for spreading "misinformation" that could lead to "imminent physical harm".
Evans has been slammed repeatedly for sharing misinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic on his social media accounts. Photo / Supplied
At the time, the social media giant issued a statement saying it did not allow users to share misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines that were "debunked" by public health experts.
"We have clear policies against this type of content and we've removed Chef Pete Evans' Facebook Page for repeated violations of these policies," the statement read.
He later took to Instagram to continue sharing his controversial messages to his followers. But, that social networking service also banned him from its platform in February this year.
Evans also made a bizarre statement after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told Sydney residents to refrain from kissing others on New Year's Eve.
"The clown show continues. This has never been about a virus and it definitely has nothing to do with your health. This is a scam and a hoax. Stupidity and corruption is the virus. #kissoff #scientism," he posted.
