The Therapeutic Goods Administration is launching a new investigation into controversial celebrity chef Pete Evans.
According to an exclusive report by TV Blackbox on Wednesday, the TGA is looking into his claims about therapeutic goods.
The 48-year-old former My Kitchen Rules judge was previously issued two fines by the TGA in April last year amounting to $25,200.
Under investigation: The Therapeutic Goods Administration is launching a new investigation into controversial celebrity chef Pete Evans
The fines were in his relation to his promotion of a ‘BioCharger’ device, which he wrongfully claimed could cure coronavirus.
Evans was selling the device for $15,000, but the new investigation is reportedly unrelated to COVID-19 products.
A source told TV Blackbox that the new investigation is in relation to ‘other therapeutic items he has been but shouldn’t be advertising’.
Controversial: According to an exclusive report by TV Blackbox on Wednesday, the TGA is looking into his claims about therapeutic goods. Pictured at an anti-vaxxer rally in Sydney in February
Evans is said to be unaware of the investigation at this stage, with the TGA keeping close watch on his actions ever since issuing him previous fines.
A noted anti-vaxxer, Evans was removed from Instagram, his final mainstream social media platform, in February.
Platform owner Facebook released a statement at the time, saying: ‘We removed Pete Evans’s account for repeatedly sharing debunked claims about the coronavirus or vaccines.’
Busted: The 48-year-old former My Kitchen Rules judge was previously issued two fines by the TGA in April last year amounting to $25,200
‘We don’t allow anyone to share misinformation about COVID-19 that could lead to imminent physical harm or about COVID-19 vaccines that have been debunked by public health experts.’
Evans was kicked off Facebook itself in December, and his podcast was also removed from Spotify. He had one million Facebook followers.
He was also dropped by 15 sponsors and companies in two days after posting a neo-Nazi meme to social media.
Making claims: The fines were in his relation to his promotion of a ‘BioCharger’ device, which he wrongfully claimed could cure coronavirus
Earlier this year, Evans was pranked with a website named after his senate campaign which diverts to a government website about the importance of immunisation.
Fans of Evans looking for his political campaign’s website were instead re-directed to the official webpage for the federal government’s immunisation programs – insisting they are ‘simple, safe and effective’.
Users were also given more information about how to get vaccinated against diseases like COVID-19 when they visited www.peteevansforsenate.com.
Repeat offender: A source told TV Blackbox that the new investigation is in relation to ‘other therapeutic items he has been but shouldn’t be advertising’
Evans has been a vocal sceptic of the coronavirus vaccine and even called the global COVID-19 crisis a ‘scamdemic’.
Satirist outlet The Chaser claimed responsibility for the prank, saying: ‘Thought we’d help Pete out by setting up a campaign site on his behalf.’
Evans was unexpectedly announced at 1am on February 12 as a senate candidate for the Great Australia Party (GAP) in the next federal election.
Keeping it quiet: Evans is said to be unaware of the investigation at this stage, with the TGA keeping close watch on his actions ever since issuing him previous fines
At the time, GAP leader Rod Culleton said: ‘Pete Evans has maintained his principles and inspired others in the face of uncommon adversity.’
His publisher Pan McMillan terminated its agreement with him and he was sacked from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! by Channel 10.
Evans began to garner negative attention in 2015 and has been criticised since for spreading misinformation and for promoting baseless conspiracy theories.
Proud supporter: He is also an outspoken fan of disgraced former United States President Donald Trump and has been pictured proudly wearing a Make America Great Again cap
He’s spoken out on a range of subjects including diet, vaccinations, coronavirus, and even supported a wild QAnon-type claim that Australia is run by paedophiles.
He is also an outspoken fan of disgraced former United States President Donald Trump and has been pictured proudly wearing a Make America Great Again cap.
He has continued to blame media for his spectacular career implosion and has turned his attention to promoting his views via the Great Australia Party’s platforms.
Silenced: A noted anti-vaxxer, Evans was removed from Instagram, his final mainstream social media platform, in February