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Lawsuit filed against Colorado company behind drinkable sunscreen product

Posted at 3:03 PM, Mar 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-16 17:03:51-04

EVERGREEN, Colo. — When an Evergreen company announced it would begin producing drinkable products that grant the effects of sunscreen and mosquito repellant, they made headlines. The company is now being sued for allegedly being "dangerous to consumers." 

According to Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, the products are dangerous and didn't go through any valid testing to prove their purpose. 

"We allege that Johnson and his companies put consumers at considerable risk by claiming that spraying UV Neutralizer into their mouths will provide hours of sun protection," Miller said. "These defendants admit that this product's only ingredient is water, and we allege they can't support their highly questionable claims that they can specially treat ordinary water to take on a wide range of health-enhancing properties. 

The companies, identified as Osmosis LLC and Harmonized Water LLC, are each owned by Benjamin Taylor Johnson, an Evergreen Colorado man who identifies as a medical doctor. 

The advertised products are made of water, as Miller said, but are reportedly employing new technology to block UV radiation and provide other health benefits.

Johnson's company claims the products make "scalar waves" that vibrate above the skin. Other products claim to give off different frequencies to do a range of things from clearing up acne, aid in fertility, reduce hair lose and more. 

The lawsuit, based in Iowa, seeks to enforce state laws against Johnson's companies, which state sellers must back product claims. 

According to Miller, that's especially true for products that cost up to $30 which are only produced using water. 

Miller also said he's wary of Johnson, who claims to be a doctor, but explained the man lost his Colorado license to practice medicine in 2001 following disciplinary proceedings. 

Miller advised as the lawsuit goes forward that consumers be wary of scientific language and dietary supplements that claim specific health benefits. 

He also advised contacting a health professional before consuming any medical products. We've included a video below of Johnson speaking to his company's product and process. 

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