The Food and Drug Administration says Star Scientific Inc. is illegally marketing a dietary supplement and a smoking cessation product.
In a warning letter made public Tuesday, the FDA ordered the suburban Richmond company to take immediate corrective action. Star Scientific said it is cooperating.
The warning comes as state and federal authorities continue to investigate a gift scandal involving Gov. Bob McDonnell and former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams, who sought state help promoting the dietary supplement Anatabloc.
The FDA said Anatabloc and CigRx both contain a new dietary ingredient that requires federal approval before it can be marketed. Star Scientific did not seek such approval.
The agency also said the company’s website improperly promotes Anatabloc as a drug by suggesting it can be used to treat various diseases.