Lorna Jane, a manufacturer and retailer of women’s activewear with headquarters in Brisbane, is being taken to court by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for allegedly making a false claim that a range of its activewear could provide protection against Covid-19. In July the company released its “anti-virus activewear” line, claiming it was sprayed with “LJ Shield,” described as a protective substance that keeps “all pathogens” away. The related advertisements used slogans such as “Cure for the Spread of COVID-19? Lorna Jane Thinks So.” According to the ACCC, which is Australia’s consumer watchdog, these claims were knowingly advanced without scientific evidence to back them up. Most of the claims were removed by mid-July, but others were presented on some garment tags until November, the ACCC said. The company has already been fined nearly A$40,000 (€25,000-$30,000) by the Therapeutic Goods Administration over the advertisements. Lorna Jane said in a statement that it would fight the allegations in court. The company has more than 100 stores in Australia and some in other countries, including the U.S. and New Zealand.

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