Covid-19 has made for some very interesting inventions in the past few months. We list some bizarre products we have come across

• The lockdown has led to many brands experimenting with 'anti-virus' offerings, to capitalise on the pandemic.
• We put together a list of some products that have been widely spoken about. Luckily, ASCI is taking note.

Since the Covid-19 virus came into our lives a few months back, our lives seem to have changed forever. We are living in a new reality, a new world, one we had only seen in sci-fi movies.

For months now, the brightest brains of the world have been working tirelessly to find a cure for the virus. However, while we are still some time away from coming up with a vaccine, this time has also led to people think ‘out-of-the-box’ and come up with ‘solutions’ that can help people fight, if not completely cure the virus.

Recently yogaguru Baba Ramdev and his brand Patanjali came under fire after they claimed to have launched a drug that could cure the virus. However, after the company faced criticism, the company’s CEO said that they never claimed that the drug could cure or control the coronavirus. ANI quoted Acharya Balkrishna, CEO of Patanjali saying, “We never told the medicine (Coronil) can cure or control Coronavirus. We said that we had made medicines and used them in clinical controlled trials which cured corona patients. There is no confusion in it.

Over the past few months, we have seen many brands come up with products ranging from bizarre to plain ridiculous, all with the same promise, of being able to either cure or control the virus. While many made us laugh out loud, there were still some that made us sit up and think, how did these products ever get approved? And why do people fall for these marketing gimmicks?

We scouted the internet to bring to you some of the most ‘innovative’ inventions we witnessed during the pandemic.

Siyaram’s Anti-Corona fabric

Siyaram’s recently launched its Anti-Corona range of fabric that it claimed had been tested by WHO (World Health Organisation) approved labs to fight against the spread of pandemic. It also claimed in a release sent to us that it is 99.94% effective against killing Coronavirus (H1N1), SARS, Influenza virus with a broad range of Anti-Microbial treatment.


UPDATE: In an official statement speaking about its product, Shridhar Soni, Vice President- Sales and Marketing, Siyaram Silk Mills Ltd said, "We have launched our range of Anti-Corona fabric after conducting proper research and collecting data by testing the fabric at WHO certified & Government approved Indian laboratory, reputed Australian laboratory using internationally accepted protocols. The tests conducted on the treated fabric establishes that it comprises anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and is also effective against corona viruses, by reducing the infectious viral load on the treated fabric. The 'anti-corona fabric' is made after treatment with technology from Australia's HealthGuard Corporation Pty Ltd by applying HealthGuard AMIC which has proven effective against bacteria and viruses including the novel SARS-CoV2. It stops virus transmission through treated fabric to any surface.
Siyaram's has always believed in serving the Indian society by providing innovative products with complete dedication and honesty. As the world fights against an unusual situation, we hope that we play our part in overcoming these tough times with the best of our abilities".

Bhabhiji Papad

A video of BJP MP Arjun Ram Meghwal where he was seen promoting a product called Bhabhi Ji Papad went viral. He claimed that the product can be very effective in fighting the virus as it helps develop anti-bodies that can fight the virus.



Modern Immuno Bread

This seems like a product that could help you fight the virus, right from your breakfast. The product contains ‘Ayush Ministry recommended immunity ingredients’ that include turmeric, ginger, clove, black pepper, cinnamon, cumin and jaggery.



Update: Following complaints about the claims of the brand, we came to know that this product has been pulled off the shelves.


Zodiac’s Securo range of shirts

In an ad for its Securo brand, Zodiac Clothing claimed that it uses the HeiQ Viroblock technology that kills 99% of the Covid-19 virus.


Arihant Anti-Corona mattress

This mattress by brand Arihant claimed to be ‘Anti-Coronavirus’. However, soon after the ad came out, an FIR was lodged against the proprietor of the furniture manufacturing company.


Biryani Blues' Supermeals with Immunity Booster

Meanwhile, there was another print ad of a restaurant called Biryani Blues that claimed to be serving Biryani with ingredients to boost immunity. While this ad doesn’t mention Covid-19 or Coronavirus in the copy, it still seems to be taking advantage of the situation.


Meanwhile, there was also a discussion on Twitter about the claims of Lifebuoy’s hand sanitizer boosting immunity. While the product was launched much before the spread of the Coronavirus, brand consultant Karthik Srinivasan wrote in a tweet that nobody had bothered to check the claims of the brand for 4 years, considering it was launched in 2016.



We are sure we will come across more such products in the next few months. In case you come across similar ads and products, write to us at samarpita.banerjee@timesbridge.com