Consumer Affairs orders ‘wellness blogger’ Belle Gibson to apologise

Consumer Affairs Victoria has ordered “wellness blogger” Belle Gibson, who admitted to lying about having terminal cancer, to publicly apologise.

The watchdog issued Federal Court action against the controversial health advocate, labelling her claims false and misleading in her bid to promote her wellness app.

The 24-year-old rose to prominence in 2013 after claiming she beat cancer with a healthy diet and natural treatment on social media, despite being given only months to live.

She was later caught out in April last year, admitting to The Australian Women’s Weekly, “none of it is true.”

“I don’t want forgiveness,” she told the magazine at the time.

“I just think [speaking out] was the responsible thing to do… I would like people to say, ‘okay she’s human.’”

While no criminal charges have been laid, she is being examined for failing to donate $300,000 from sales of her app, The Whole Pantry, to charity. The app was later withdrawn from Apple’s App Store.

The regulator has appealed for Ms Gibson to pay a fine and publish an apology in newspapers that acknowledges her false claims and advice to cancer patients.

The statement of claim, filed today, asked for her to properly advise cancer patients to seek assistance from medical professionals.

Penguin Australia, the publishers responsible for The Whole Pantry book, cooperated with Consumer Affairs’ actions by agreeing to donate $30,000 to the Victorian Consumer Law Fund.

Penguin Australia vowed to strengthen its compliance, education and training when overseeing claims about medical conditions to ensure they are substantiated. Any statements about natural therapies will also be accompanied with a prominent warning.

Ms Gibson’s company, Inkerman Road Nominees, is currently in liquidation. She is the sole director and shareholder.

With AAP.