A recent episode of Dragons’ Den was removed from BBC iPlayer following criticism of a featured product.

In an episode aired on January 18, entrepreneur Giselle Boxer received offers from each of the show’s six Dragons for her product, Acu Seeds, which she says helped her recover from ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), a life-changing illness with symptoms that include fatigue, muscle and joint pain, difficulty concentrating and headaches.

The ME/CFS entry on the NHS website states that there is “currently no cure” but that there are “treatments that may help you manage the condition”.

A BBC statement to The Mirror confirmed: “We take the concerns raised seriously, so we are reviewing the episode and that is why it is currently unavailable on iPlayer.”

After its broadcast, the episode of “Dragons’ Den” received widespread criticism from both ME sufferers and charities that support those affected.

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Several organisations have set out their concerns in an open letter to the chairs of two government committees: “As the episode in question was broadcast on BBC One during prime time, we are concerned that a wider audience may have heard this innuendo, which is based on an unsubstantiated claim that this form of alternative medicine can cure ME.”

In an earlier statement, a BBC spokesperson said: “Dragons’ Den showcases products from entrepreneurs and is not an advertisement for them. Dragons’ Den features real companies pitching their products to investors to gain insight into the world of business.”

“In this episode, an entrepreneur talks about his personal experiences that led to the founding of his company.”

Acu Seeds – the product being touted – is described as “needle-free DIY ear acupuncture for anxiety, migraines, hormonal issues, insomnia, weight loss and more.”

On the product’s website, the footer of a blog post explaining what ear beads are states: “This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You should always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.”

Since the episode aired, Boxer has told the Mirror that she “never said the ear beads were a cure.”

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Dr Charles Shepard, honorary medical adviser to the ME Association, said: “The way in which Dragons’ Den has been used to promote an unproven treatment for ME/CFS has, unsurprisingly, caused great excitement and concern in the ME patient community.

“People with ME/CFS are fed up with the way these products are routinely advertised, despite the lack of compelling evidence from proper, placebo-controlled clinical trials supporting their safety and effectiveness.

“Such expensive commercial products and devices should not be offered to very vulnerable sick people until their safety and effectiveness have been properly tested in clinical trials – just as with drug treatments.”

Dragons’ Den airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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