Men’s luxury clothing brand Zodiac recently claimed that their newly launched antiviral shirt called the “Luxury Cotton Securo Tailored Fit White ANTI- VIRAL Shirt” is safe and Coronavirus resistant. The brand claims their product to be processed by HeiQ VIROBLOCK which is proven to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 and hence makes the shirt 99% secure against COVID-19 Virus. 

While many class this as an advertising gimmick, and Twitterati heavily trolled the brand its new product, Zodiac Clothing claims, “The Securo range from ZODIAC is from fabric processed with “HeiQ VIROBLOCK”. This Swiss technology kills 99% viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19 virus* on contact with the surface fabric. HeiQ Viroblock is EU BPR & EU REACH compliant. It lasts for 30 home washes at 40°C (104°F). So, Please keep track of your washes.

The fabric is safe for human contact & on the environment and has been tested by HeiQ. With the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Melbourne, Australia & Main ingredients registered with US TSCA and US EPA. And this is not a medical device and for use only as covid antiviral shirt, does not guarantee against infections and is not a cure. *As per ISO 18184 strong antiviral and ISO 20743 antibacterial effect against enveloped viruses and bacteria proven effective against SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 causing virus.”

antiviral shirt
Image source: Zodiac clothing

However, this issue is under investigation by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). In order to verify the claims of the brand. The ASCI will gain more insight and proof about the antiviral shirt. 

According to LiveMint report, Shweta Purandare, secretary-general, ASCI. Said in the current pandemic situation advertisers are coming up with unique selling propositions centered on immunity, including fabric treated with germicidal agents. While such innovations are welcome and need of the hour, product efficacy claims demand robust support data. “Consumers are bringing potentially misleading advertisements to our notice. We are examining them to ascertain if the claims were adequately substantiated or are misleading by ambiguity and/or implication. As a policy, ASCI does not wish to comment on any particular complaint or brand,” she said.

covid resistant shirt
Image source: Zodiac clothing

The antiviral range of shirts is currently available online for purchase and is priced at $44.98 per shirt. Zodiac also introduced matching face masks along with premium quality shirts.