The BBC has removed episodes of Dragons' Den from iPlayer after concerns were raised about myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) products.
Gisele Boxer has secured investment in her product Acu Seeds from entrepreneur and podcaster Stephen Bartlett.
But campaigners said she made “unsubstantiated claims” in the episode aired on January 18, and in an open letter they raised concerns about the way her claims were phrased.
Sponsored by action for meCampaigners wrote to the chairs of two House of Commons select committees, saying the boxer had suggested that the ear seed product had “contributed to her recovery and should therefore be considered an effective treatment”. Stated.
In the episode, Boxer said she used “diet, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and ear seeds” to help her recover from ME, which she then turned into the brand Acu Seeds.
A BBC spokesperson said on Thursday: “We take the concerns raised seriously and are considering the episode, which is why it is currently not available on iPlayer.”
The company has previously defended the program, saying it “features products from entrepreneurs and is not an endorsement of entrepreneurs,” and that Mr. Boxer's “personal experiences led to the creation of his business.” was shared.
In a tweet, Action for Me said its chief executive Sonya Chaudhry had written to BBC director-general Tim Davie expressing “concerns over this episode”.
According to the NHS website, ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is a long-term condition with a wide range of symptoms including extreme fatigue, sleep problems and difficulty concentrating. Although there is no known cure for this condition, there are treatments that may help manage it.
During the show, Ms Boxer told potential investors that she founded the product as a result of seeking treatment when she was diagnosed with ME at the age of 26.
she said: “Four years ago, I was diagnosed with ME. I worked at a major advertising agency, had a busy social life, and exercised regularly, but I was mostly housebound and had to go back to bed. Now I can't even walk for more than 5 minutes.
“Doctors told me I would never be able to recover, work, or have children. I went on a personal healing journey using diet, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and ear seeds. I believe this combination accelerated my recovery within 12 months.”
Her pitch created a notable moment on the show, with all six “dragons” making offers for her product. Her product is described as “DIY needle-free ear acupuncture for anxiety, migraines, hormonal issues, insomnia, weight loss, and more.” .
After hearing their offer, she decided to choose Bartlett as her investment destination.
Acu Seeds has been contacted by the Guardian for comment.
PA Media contributed to this report
