Askar Solutions, Ltd. – FDA Warning Letter

The FDA reviewed websites www.us-tobacconist.com, www.cigsmall.com, and www.cigsvendor.com, affiliated with Askar Solutions, and found cigarette products offered for sale to U.S. customers. The products, Kiss Fresh Apple Super Slims and Kiss Strawberry Super Slims, are deemed tobacco products under section 201(rr) of the FD&C Act.

The FDA determined these products are adulterated under section 902(5) or misbranded under section 903(a)(1) of the FD&C Act. The violation stems from the products purportedly containing artificial or natural characterizing flavors (apple and strawberry), which is prohibited for cigarettes under section 907(a)(1)(A) as of September 22, 2009. If the products do not contain these flavors, their labeling is considered false and misleading, leading to misbranding.

Askar Solutions must immediately correct these violations and ensure all tobacco products on their websites comply with the FD&C Act. Failure to comply may result in further FDA action, including civil money penalties, no-tobacco-sale orders, criminal prosecution, seizure, and/or injunction. Adulterated and misbranded products are also subject to detention and refusal of admission into the U.S. A written response detailing corrective actions, including dates of discontinued violative activities, is required within 15 working days