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ASCI upholds complaints against 57 out of 65 ads in Nov. 2013

Health & personal care category continued to lead with the highest number of complaints received

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ASCI upholds complaints against 57 out of 65 ads in Nov. 2013

Health & personal care category continued to lead with the highest number of complaints received

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | February 4, 2014

asci-logoIn November 2013, ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) upheld complaints against 65 advertisements. Health & personal care category continued to lead with the highest number of complaints received.

Health & Personal Care

The CCC found the following claims in health and personal care product or service ads of 44 advertisers, released in the press to be either misleading or false or not adequately/scientifically substantiated and hence violating ASCI's Code. Some of the health care products or services ads also contravened provisions of the Drug & Magic Remedies Act. Complaints against the following ads were upheld:

  1. Ambic Ayurved: NavPaurush Powder/Capsules claims that it 'increases hunger, weight, strength & helps in producing new blood', 'helps in bringing shine on the skin and increases stamina.'
  2. Amba Health Clinic: Claims to treat diseases such as vitiligo, infertility, diabetes etc.
  3. Chaitanya Hospital: The hospital advertisement claims that they are the '1st users of Lensx Laser Femto Second Cataract Surgery in Kerala'.
  4. Dhanvantari Super Speciality Ayurvedic Hospital & Panch Center: Claims they provide 'complete treatment of psoriasis, eczema, white spots, pimples and any type of skin disease',  'complete and successful treatment of infertility, getting an issue, women's illness, P.C.O.D, less sperms, sexual weakness etc',  'complete treatment of any type of illness in one and only ayurvedic hospital with complete facilities.'
  5. Dr R P Kakkar Clinic: Claims to be the 'contact for the most successful treatment of poor erection, oligo spermia', one can 'get permanent benefit.
  6. Shree Kalyan Ayurvedashram: Claims that 'within 5-6 hours of treatment white spots will reduce and will appear as normal skin complexion.'
  7. Dr. Nigam's Good Health Pvt. Ltd (Dr. Nigam's Hair Multiplication): Claims that it is 'Nations No.1 hair treatment clinic'.
  8. Dr.Ashwini's Obesity & Homoeo Health Care Centre: Claims that one can 'fight obesity with India's first obesity research clinic.
  9. Dr.Amrapali's Trim N Tone: Claims that they 'use LIPO laser to remove fat and reduce inches without surgery or pain. Also claims of helping them lose 8 kgs in just 45 days.
  10. The Himalaya Drug Company: Himalaya Sparkling White Toothpaste claims that it is 'India's first toothpaste with no chemical bleach'. Pack claims that they guarantee 'whiter teeth in just 2 weeks.'
  11. Dr. Sheetal's Slim Express: The advertisement is about weight loss and how visceral fat increases risk of heart disease. The advertisement claims that there are satisfactory results in 90% of the cases.
  12. Future Planner Enterprises: Ret Radifree Gold claims that it 'blocks up to 97% electromagnetic radiation', 'Tested! Proven! C.I.E.M.S. & C.F.B.S.', 'It provides solution for the side effects of mobile radiation -Headache, low memory, impotency, brain tumor, tiredness etc.'
  13. GTM Teleshopping Pvt. Ltd: Brain Smart: Claims the product improves the capacity of Human Brain / Mental condition.
  14. Hindustan Unilever Ltd: Pepsodent Germi Check + Expert Protection Pro Complete Toothbrush claims that they are '100% proven interdental cleaning. Further they also claims to provide complete cleaning (“Purisafai”).
  15. Indian Fowrazin: The advertisement is selling a very high priced herbal remedy – Claim misleading as long time was not specific “only 12kg are produced per year” (thereby justifying the very high price of US$3000 per 50 grams) is false.  Medical claims for the product have no basis in research (lowers cholesterol; improves sexual health and performance; reduces cancer risk; antidote to mild poisons; anti-oxidant properties).
  16. Mellitus Capsules: Cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of diabetes in human beings.
  17. Marico Ltd: Nihar Shanti Amla Hair Oil claims to 'keep hair black for a long time.'
  18. Nirog Clinic: Claims that they provide 'permanent treatment of STDs, impotency caused due to sugar, childlessness, premature ejaculation, nil sperms, small organ and tardiness, piles, stone, obesity, excessive weakness, joint pain, hair problems etc.'
  19. Oma Health & Beauty Clinic: Claims that they provide 'guaranteed 5 kg weight loss in just Rs. 3,999' and 'guaranteed 10 kg weight loss in just Rs. 7,499'.
  20. Springs: Claims that they help 'lose 10 kgs in 24 hours'.
  21. Shathayu Ayurveda: Claims that they help 'lose 6 Kgs in just 25 days.'
  1. Anmol Ayur Clinic: Claims that they provide 'prompt and successful treatment of oldest of the drunkard's drinking habit/ tobacco consumption /drugs etc. and every type of addiction.'
  2. Ayurvedik Vikas Sansthan: Claims that 'Energic-31 is the best health enhancer ayurvedic medicine, which is helpful to get rid of the unfitness of all t organs, all types of weaknesses, pains, tiredness, laziness, increases longetivity power, immunity power, and efficiency.' It is equally effective for both ladies and gents.
  1. Dr Bhurani Multi Speciality Homoeo Clinic: Claims that they provide a 'successful treatment without operation by medicines. (Diseases mentioned are vitiligo, baldness, obesity, stones)
  2. Detox: Detox Hospital: Claims that they give 'Single session of Detox = 600 calories, Burnt = 10 km walk.' 'They provide world's best detox procedures. Just sit, dip and sip to detox', 'go Detox - removes toxins, burns calories, weight loss, reduces cellulite, improves blood circulation, reduces joint pains & muscular aches, relieves stress, kills allergies.
  3. Dr. Care Cosmetics: Syor Powder claims that it is 'helpful in increasing memory power', 'completely ayurvedic chocolate flavor', 'books lag behind when compared to memory power.'
  1. Dr. Sheetal's Slim Express: The advertisement claims that the technique used is medically proven technology backed by scientific research.
  1. Hindustan Unilever Ltd - New Close Up Deep Action Toothpaste:  The Claim was not substantiated 'Confidence of Fresh breath till 12 hours, presenting new Close-up Deep Action'.
  2. Hans Herbal Overseas: Hans Snow claims that it is a 'reliable brand for more than 5 crore people for 40 years.'
  1. Jolly Pharma: Jolly Fat Go claims that 'dieting and exercise did not work well, then proceed to & try Jolly Fat-Go Slim capsules and Anticellulite oil to keep your body slim, smart and fit.' 'It corrects body metabolism, equally effective on boys-girls and men-women'. 'Take 2 Jolly Fat go capsules early in the morning on an empty stomach; and 2 capsules in the evening two hours before dinner along with luke warm water. Metabolism will eventually burn the excess fat and convert it into energy'.
  2. Jay Shree Pharmaceuticals: Pilora Powder /Cream claims that one can 'get relief from piles - hernia in 1 day', it is'100% ayurvedic', provides 'immediate relief from unbearable pain in anal region, inflammation-itching, fissure- bleeding-sitting problems etc.'
  3. Jay Shree Pharmaceuticals: Fat Kill Capsules & Oil claims that one can 'experience the change in 30 days', 'Take a three month course and get an attractive figure.'
  1. Omega Hospital: The advertisement states that 'breat cancer can be cured'.
  2. Pratiraj Herbal Pharmacy: Navjeevan Hair Oil claims that it is a 'successful medicine for baldness', 'a patent ayurvedic medicine made by herbs which is chemical free, colour less, odour less'.
  1. Tara Homeopathy Clinic: Claims that they 'provide guarantee card of treatment with 100% in all types of hair treatment'.
  2. Slim Care Herbal Products: Slim Fast Capsule/Powder claims that one can 'get rid of obesity', 'no dieting', 'no side effect' and is '100% herbal'.
  3. Shankar Nursing Home: Claims that one can get 'permanent treatment of stones without operation, without getting admitted, by laser machine and get discharged in 2 hours.'
  4. Roojssel's Slimming Beauty and Hair Clinic: Claims that one can 'lose weight by lipo laser which gives a perfect figure.'
  5. Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd: Revital claims that the '21 day money back guarantee challenge.'
  6. Shape & Glow: Claims that one can 'get perfect figure by lipo laser.' Advertisement also claims that they provide '5 muscle toner, body firming, tummy trims, hip trims and figure correction.'
  7. Sanjeevan School for Perfect Eyesight: Natural Vision Improvement Centre claims cure for color blindness.'
  8. Sri Sanjeevini Solutions: Claims that it is 'India's No.1'. 'The Cold Laser Medicine Cures: migraine, neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, knee pain, foot pain, numbness, psoriasis, varicose blood, diabetes, stress. Helps to get rid of smoking & drinking, sexual problem, fat, ulcer, gangrene, psoriasis, Varicose, operation marks etc'.
  9. The Body Care Slimming & Beauty Clinic for Men and Women: Claims that they help 'lose 10 kgs weight in 24 hrs'. The ad claims '6-8 cms and 1 kg loss permanently (in Marathi).'
  10. Venktesh Dal & Flour Mill: Santrupthi Diabetic Atta helps 'control blood pressure, diabetes, obesity naturally'.

Online Ads

Inasra Technologies Pvt Ltd: The facebook advertisement of Stayzilla.com displays an image which is very demeaning to woman, is sexist and objectifies women. The CCC concluded that the Facebook Ad shows an indecent depiction of a woman and objectifies women, which is likely in the light of generally prevailing standards of decency and propriety, to cause grave or widespread offence.  The Ad contravened Chapter II of the ASCI Code.  The complaint was upheld.

Info Edge (India) Ltd: The advertisement of website of 99acres.com clearly states 'no Muslim is allowed'. The CCC concluded that the website advertisement claim of 'no Muslim is allowed' promotes discrimination based on religion and contravened Chapter III.1 (b) of the Code.  The complaint was upheld.

www.surfaceinternational.com: Claims that they have been 'providing a best industrial machine from 25 years'. The date of establishment of the company is 2006.  In view of this, it is prima-facie that this company is providing wrong information / false information leading to misguiding and duping the viewers of the website. The CCC concluded that the claim was not substantiated.  The internet Ad contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code.  The complaint was upheld.

Food & Beverages

The CCC concluded that the claims mentioned in these advertisements were not substantiated.  The advertisements contravened ASCI's Code.  The complaints were upheld.

 

  1. Pizza Hut: The hoardings state that 'Rs. 99 on any meal any day.' This is not factually true.
  2. International Pvt Ltd: Bisleri Vedica claims that it is 'anti-acidic spring water from Himalayas.'
  3. United Biscuits Pvt. Ltd: Mcvitie's Digestive Biscuit claims that 'Every biscuit has 'Maida' (Wheat Flour), whereas their biscuits have 'Atta' (whole wheat flour). The content of the biscuits says that it also contains 36% 'maida' (wheat flour) and only 23% 'Atta' (whole wheat flour). Hence their claim is totally misleading that their biscuit is made of 'Atta' (whole wheat flour).'
  4. Saboo Sodium Chloro Ltd: Surya Salt claims that 'Scientists believe that by consuming sambhar salt regularly you can get rid of joints pain',  'other than that it can protect us from stomach diseases, acidity even skins diseases and many other diseases',  'Surya salt has many merits. It contains right amount of Iodine, which eliminates brain diseases and helps in the mental growth of children'.

Education

Rameshwaram Vishwa Vidyapeeth University & Kendriya Vishwavidyala University: The CCC concluded that the websites claim of the 'Universities being accredited by the British Accreditation Council' was not substantiated and was misleading.  The websites claims contravened Guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions and Programs as well as Chapters I.1 and I.4 of the ASCI Code.  The complaint was upheld.

Consumer Durables

V-Guard Industries Ltd: V- Guard Water HeatersTVC shows 'a woman being stared at, touched pushed and groped in a bus. On reaching her office she is yelled at by her boss. And on her way back she is whistled at. On reaching home she has a bath using V-guard water heaters and the ad states, 'Dho Daliye Roz ki Pareshanniyo Ko''. This ad is promoting sexual harassment of women. The CCC viewed the TVC and concluded that the depiction of a woman shown in situations of helplessness and acceptance of sexual harassment is likely to cause grave or widespread offence.  The advertisement contravened Chapter II of the ASCI Code.  The complaint was upheld.

Auto

The CCC found following claims in TVC by 2 different advertisers violated Chapter III.3 of the ASCI Guidelines on advertisements for automotive vehicles and hence the complaints against the ads were upheld.

 

  1. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd: Maruti Alto 800 TVC shows 'a couple celebrating Diwali and when asked about the extra diya, the wife says it is for her parents who stay far away. And they travel with the diya in the car and reach the house. The wife says surprisingly the oil in the diya is intact and the husband agrees whilst looking at the dashboard'. The advertisement sends a dangerous message of carrying an oil lamp in the car. It flouts the safety rules and spreads a dangerous message.
  1. TVS Star City: The TVC shows a woman pillion riding without a helmet.

Others

Future Bazaar: The Big Bazaar TVC shows a women riding pillion without helmet. The CCC concluded that the visual of a pillion riding woman and also shown without a helmet promotes unsafe practices. The advertisement contravened the Guidelines on Advertisements for Automotive Vehicles.  The complaint was upheld.

Lal Kitab Amrit: The advertisement of the book 'Yes I Can' claims that this book will relieve the sorrows and misery of everyone who will buy this book. The CCC concluded that the claims made in the TVC were not substantiated, and were misleading by gross exaggeration. The advertisement contravened Chapters I.1 and I.4 of the Code.  The complaint was upheld.

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