Letter that forced BBC to pull Dragons Den episode over safety fears revealed

The letter that resulted in the BBC taking down an episode of the Dragons' Den over safety concerns has been revealed.

The multimillionaire Dragons were almost falling over themselves to present an offer to Giselle Brooks after she pitched her 'Acu Seeds' company, but her product's effectiveness has since come under question.

Brooks ultimately ended up making history following her proposal, as she received a record six offers.

The 31-year-old appeared on the episode that aired on 18 January, explaining that five years ago she was active and healthy, but was diagnosed with M.E (myalgic encephalomyelitis).

The NHS state that M.E - which is also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) - is a long-term condition that brings on a number of symptoms, with the main one being extreme tiredness.

However, the disease remains incurable, with the NHS recommending that people who suffer from it try cognitive behavioural therapy, sleep medication or energy management.

During her pitch to the Dragons, she claimed that doctors said she would never 'recover, work again or have children', forcing her to take matters into her own hands, using diet, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and ear seeds to aid her recovery.

She eventually fell pregnant 12 months later.

BBC

Initially asking for an investment into her company 'Acu Seeds', it has since been reported to the Advertising Standards Authority due to her 'unproven claims'.

The BBC then received a letter from #MEAction, highlighting that the products advertised have not been proven to work, with the contents of the letter being revealed.

The letter begins to state that in this episode, Boxer claims to have been aided/cured of her MF/CFS, but that it is a 'complex condition' that severely impacts those with it, with there currently being 'no treatment or cure' that is 'recognised by the NICE Guideline on ME/CFS'.

It continues: "While Dragons’ Den is known for promoting innovative ideas and entrepreneurship, it is imperative that this platform not be used to endorse products that lack scientific backing, especially those related to health and well-being."

Calling it 'distressing' to see it advertised on such a large platform, it continues: "This not only misleads the public but also potentially takes financial advantage of vulnerable individuals desperately seeking relief from a debilitating condition.

"We recognise that the product was never explicitly referred to as a cure on the show, but it was presented in such a way that would lead viewers to the conclusion that it could be used as a potential cure."

It also outlined that no effort was made by the Dragons to question the efficacy or legitimacy of the product.

BBC

"Disappointingly, all Dragons jumped to making an offer once they heard the 90% profit margin of this product cynically described as brought to market to “help other people”.

#MEAction also state that family and friends of patients have called in to say they should try the "cure I’ve seen on TV", as some have even bought them for patients.

They have urged the BBC to add a more rigorous screening process for health products, air an education segment for ME, and release a public statement.

A BBC spokesperson told LADbible: "We’re taking the concerns raised seriously, so we are reviewing the episode and therefore it’s currently not available on iPlayer."

Boxer has since responded to the backlash and has claimed that she was recruited to appear on the show.

Speaking to the Mirror, she alleged: "Funnily enough they [the BBC] contacted me and I received an email from a researcher there and I initially thought it was a spam email.

"We went through the different stages of the application process and there was so much due diligence and they really looked into every part of my business before I went in to pitch to the Dragons."

She also said that she 'never said the ear seeds are a cure' and that her recovery was aided by several different methods.