Pete Evans slammed over claims $23K ‘light machine’ can treat Covid-19

Having previously been on the receiving end of criticism for supporting anti-vaxxers, questioning the use of sunscreen and promoting the paleo diet, Pete Evans is no stranger to controversy. And the TV chef found himself in the firing line again this week, this time relating to claims he made about a so-called coronavirus treatment.

The celebrity chef went live on Facebook this week to talk up the alleged health benefits of the US$15,000 (AU$23,600) BioCharger NG Subtle Energy Platform, which he claims has several “recipes” designed to target the deadly virus, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people worldwide. According to the product description on Evans’ website, the device is “proven to restore strength, stamina, coordination and mental clarity”.

“We’ve had it for the last four or five months up at the farm, we use it pretty much everyday,” Pete, 47, says in the video. “It’s a pretty amazing tool. It’s programmed with about 1,000 different recipes. There’s a couple of them for Wuhan coronavirus.”

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is now investigating the device, according to the Daily Telegraph, while his comments also triggered a huge backlash from doctors across the country, who branded his most recent claims as “extremely dangerous”.

“When proper scientists are working really hard to find a vaccine and to find a cure for the virus, this is sort of slapping everybody in the face,” GP Brad McKay told 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Friday. “To say that you can gather around… basically, what looks like an electric heater… and tune it to a certain frequency, that it’s going to protect you from getting coronavirus, it’s extremely dangerous for that to happen.

“What will it take to shut Pete Evans up, and to shut down these bizarre claims that he has regarding people’s health?”

Meanwhile the Australian Medical Association (AMA) called Evans out on social media, writing: “This guy just doesn’t get it. Pete Evans is trying to sell a $15,000 fancy light machine to vulnerable and frightened people to protect them against Covid-19.

“He is not a doctor. He is not a scientist. He is a chef.”

This guy just doesn’t get it. Pete Evans is trying to sell a $15,000 fancy light machine to vulnerable and frightened people to protect them against #COVID_19.
He is not a doctor.
He is not a scientist.
He is a chef. pic.twitter.com/q6nWb3EojB

— AMA Media (@ama_media) April 10, 2020

The My Kitchen Rules judge also made headlines last month as he lashed out at the Aussie public for making poor food choices amid the coronavirus chaos. Speaking on his Evolve podcast, he said: “I was at the supermarket the other day picking up meat and seafood, but I was looking at people’s trolleys and I was like ‘they’re still filling up with crap food’.

“But I dare say throughout this there will be a conscious awakening into those pillars of health because we’re going to be in a situation where it’s like ‘oh sh*t maybe I should’ve looked after myself those last couple of years and maybe now is a really, really good time’. There seems to be a sheep mentality at the moment.”