(BRADENTON, FLA) — Four Florida men are behind bars after allegedly selling a bogus COVID-19 cure they called “Miracle Mineral Solution.”
Authorities say, “The ‘miracle’ solution is a mixture of sodium chlorite and water, which turns into chlorine dioxide and acts as a type of industrial bleach when ingested.”
Florida men busted for selling bleach as 'miracle' coronavirus cure https://t.co/UFtUtaiDVv pic.twitter.com/16SEC0XdNo
— New York Post (@nypost) July 9, 2020
All four men are facing charges of conspiring to defraud the government and criminal contempt.
Prosecutors say Mark Grenon, 62, along with his three adult sons, sold their “Miracle Mineral Solution” through Grenon’s self-styled “non-religious church” of health and healing
in Bradenton, according to a criminal complaint.
The toxic solution pushed by the Grenon family, also known as “MMS,” is typically used to treat textiles, industrial water, pulp and paper, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA has not approved the solution for any health-related use and has said ingesting it can cause vomiting and dehydration.
The FDA warns: “If you’re drinking “Miracle” or “Master” Mineral Solution or other sodium chlorite products, stop now. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received many reports that these products, sold online as “treatments,” have made consumers sick.”
Grenon is said to have created the church to avoid government regulations on their product, which then allowed them to send shipments nationwide.
The Grenon’s also marketed the bleaching agent as a cure for other serious health conditions, including cancer, autism and AIDS, according to the complaint.
An email from Mark Grenon to US District Judge Kathleen Williams in Miami read: “Again and again I have written you all that . . . you have NO authority over our Church.”
The father and sons are currently behind bars charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and criminal contempt.