Issue Date:  -  Thursday, 21 December 2000

'MAGIC' FUEL PILL DISCREDITED IN TESTS

The Ministry of Fair Trading has warned motorists not to place their faith in fuel “pills” promising improved fuel efficiency of up to 42%.

Commissioner for Fair Trading Patrick Walker said the Ministry recently commissioned independent scientific tests of the Fuel Magic pill (also marketed as the Power Pill FE-3) which showed the product had no beneficial effect.

“The tests by the University of WA Engineering Design and Consultancy Centre found the brown one-gram pills produced no measurable reduction in fuel consumption and could have even worsened fuel-efficiency,” said Commissioner for Fair Trading Patrick Walker.

Mr Walker said the Ministry was further concerned that other, similar “fuel pills” had come on to the market in recent days.

“During a time when thereÕs been significant public concern about fuel prices, I would be concerned if opportunistic traders were taking advantage of consumers with false claims about products which seem doubtful at the very least,” he said.

Motorists are advised to drop one Fuel Magic pill, at a cost of $2.50 each, into their petrol tanks each time they refill.

Mr Walker said the Ministry had received a commitment from its seller, Milestone Marketing of Doubleview, to cease promoting the product, but the Ministry would continue to investigate the matter for likely prosecution.

“But other fuel pills are also on the market and selling fast because people naturally want better fuel economy, but consumers need to take any claims of improved fuel-efficiency with a grain of salt,” Mr Walker said.

It is an offence under the Fair Trading Act to make false or misleading statements about a product, with penalties as high as $20,000 for individuals or $100,000 for corporations.