Delicious, effervescent cold remedy Airborne, it seems, exaggerated their sniffle-fighting prowess. Turns out they faked their clinical trials, and are now offering you, the customer, some cash back. According to a 2006 ABC report:

Airborne said that a double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with “care and professionalism” by a company specializing in clinical trial management, GNG Pharmaceutical Services.

GNG is actually a two-man operation started up just to do the Airborne study. There was no clinic, no scientists and no doctors. The man who ran things said he had lots of clinical trial experience. He added that he had a degree from Indiana University, but the school says he never graduated.

And after angry customers sued the company, they now have to pay up. Sigh.

Although almost every schoolteacher recommends this product to everyone they meet, "fake cold remedy" is a damaging term. Airborne is, in a word, done. If you want in on the settlement, or to find out more about the lawsuit, check out their settlement page.