Kerri Rivera faces mounting criticism and legal scrutiny for advocating chlorine dioxide as a cure for autism, despite severe health risks and expert warnings. Parents report harmful effects on children, while advocacy groups and authorities call for urgent action against this dangerous misinformation.
A social media influencer is under scrutiny for promoting industrial bleach as a non-scientific “cure” for autism, despite widespread health warnings and alarming reports of serious health issues among children following her guidance. Kerri Rivera, who boasts over 17,000 followers on Instagram and additional presence on TikTok, advocates for the use of chlorine dioxide (CD), a harmful chemical typically used for bleaching textiles and industrial disinfecting. Health experts have condemned her promotion as not only misleading but also dangerous for vulnerable families.
Parents in Rivera's private support group have shared alarming testimonies of their children's adverse reactions after following her recommendations. Reports indicate symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, and unusual chemical odours in urine, suggesting a toxic response to the treatment. One concerned parent noted, “I have noticed a high ammonia-smelling urine in my daughter's pull-ups... I imagine these are the parasites dying and leaving behind their toxins.” Rivera misleadingly assures these parents that such symptoms indicate the treatment is effective, reinforcing the erroneous belief that autism is related to toxins or parasites.
Despite the lack of scientific validity, Rivera's claims persist. The UK Health Security Agency has issued stark warnings regarding the ingestion of chlorine dioxide, highlighting grave health risks like severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, and in extreme cases, shock due to depleted blood volume. Medical professionals have raised alarms that in children, ingestion can lead to severe complications, including damage to the bowel lining and seizures. Tim Nicholls, from the National Autistic Society (NAS), deemed the promotion of this so-called “protocol” as “wrong, dangerous and harmful,” emphasizing that autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that cannot and should not be construed as a disease requiring a cure.
While Rivera has faced backlash within online communities, a collective of concerned mothers has taken matters further, infiltrating private Facebook groups to counteract the spread of misinformation regarding false autism treatments. These parents are actively working to protect their children from harmful practices and educate others about the dangers of these unwarranted claims. Efforts led by the NAS and organisations like Ambitious about Autism aim to empower families with accurate information sourced from trusted medical professionals, pressing the importance of vigilance against online scams.
Legal action has also been initiated in response to the dangerous claims associated with Rivera's products. The Illinois Attorney General's office previously intervened, resulting in Rivera agreeing to stop conducting seminars or selling products in the state. This legal scrutiny highlights the balance between freedom of expression and the necessity of protecting public health from potentially life-threatening misinformation.
Despite these efforts, Rivera continues to assert her misleading claims within her active online platforms. A petition calling for the removal of her accounts has garnered over 30,000 signatures, reflecting widespread concern among netizens regarding the misinformation being circulated. As the discussion around autism treatment continues to evolve, the persistence of harmful myths underscores the critical need for informed public discourse and the responsibility of social media platforms to regulate health-related content.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments, including the Illinois Attorney General's intervention in 2015 and ongoing concerns about Kerri Rivera's promotion of chlorine dioxide as an autism cure. The article's publication date is June 2, 2025, indicating timely reporting. However, similar reports have appeared in the past, such as the 2015 NBC Chicago article detailing Rivera's promotion of the 'Miracle Mineral Solution' for autism treatment. ([nbcchicago.com](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-woman-offers-controversial-miracle-treatment-for-autism/111922/?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that while the article is current, the topic has been covered previously. Additionally, the article includes references to earlier reports, indicating that some content may be recycled. The inclusion of updated data may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from concerned parents and experts. For instance, a parent noted, “I have noticed a high ammonia-smelling urine in my daughter's pull-ups... I imagine these are the parasites dying and leaving behind their toxins.” This quote appears to be original to this report. However, similar sentiments have been expressed in previous reports, such as the 2015 NBC Chicago article where Rivera's promotion of the 'Miracle Mineral Solution' was discussed. ([nbcchicago.com](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-woman-offers-controversial-miracle-treatment-for-autism/111922/?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that while the quotes may be original, the themes have been previously reported.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable UK-based news organisation known for its investigative journalism. This lends credibility to the report. However, the article references earlier reports from other reputable sources, such as NBC Chicago and NBC News, indicating that the information has been covered by multiple outlets. This cross-referencing enhances the reliability of the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims in the narrative align with known information about Kerri Rivera's promotion of chlorine dioxide as an autism cure and the associated health risks. The article cites previous reports from reputable sources, such as NBC Chicago and NBC News, which have covered similar concerns. The inclusion of updated data and references to earlier reports suggests that the narrative is plausible and based on established facts.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents timely reporting on Kerri Rivera's promotion of chlorine dioxide as an autism cure and the associated health risks. While the article is current, similar reports have appeared in the past, and some content may be recycled. The quotes appear to be original, but similar sentiments have been expressed in previous reports. The source is reputable, and the claims are plausible, aligning with known information. However, the presence of recycled content and the lack of new, exclusive information suggest that the narrative may not be entirely original.
