MUMBAI: In January 2016, Asci’s Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) upheld complaints against 51 out of 102 advertisements.
Out of 51 advertisements against which complaints were upheld, 13 belonged to the Education category, 12 to the Food & Beverages category, followed by 11 in the Healthcare category, 6 in the E-commerce category and 9 from other categories.
Health & Personal Care
Emami (Kesh King Ayurvedic Medicinal Oil): The claim in the advertisement, “Bejod upaay” (Unmatched Solution) was not substantiated with clinical evidence of the product – especially for the claim related to premature greying of hair. This claim, when read in conjunction with the claim “complete care”, implies total cure for hair problems, which was misleading.
Dabur India Ltd. (Dabur Vatika Enriched Coconut Oil): The ad read: “Vatika Enriched Coconut Hair Oil provides body & radiance while taking care of the critical balance of nutrients. Unlike ordinary coconut oil, Vatika’s coconut oil is enriched with the goodness of 8 timetested herbs. They work magic on your hair, giving your hair & scalp complete nourishment for that problem free, healthy crowning glory.” These claims were not adequately substantiated with product and ingredient specific data.
Patanjali Ayurved Limited (Youvan Gold Plus): The claims on pack of Youvan Gold Plus, “An authentic powder booster Ayurvedic Medicine useful in physical & sexual weakness which improves libido, vigour & vitality, sexual power. Keeps you always healthy, energetic & gives you total satisfaction of married life”, were not substantiated and imply that the product is meant for enhancement of sexual pleasure, which is in breach of the law as it violates the Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.
Mosons Extractions Pvt. Ltd. (Indulekha Bringha Oil): The claims, “Indulekha Bringha Oil or simply Bringha oil is complete ayurvedic hair oil to all modern day hair problems. In Ayurveda hair care involves two stages. Kesapadasamanam (Hair fall reduction), Kesavardhanam (Stimulate new hair growth). There are specific herbs and natural elements that are prescribed in Ayurveda to prevent hair fall and promote new hair growth”, were not substantiated.
Uttam Dawakhana: The claim in the advertisement (in Hindi), as translated into English, “with Vanaspati oil and unaniraambaan medicines, 100% satisfaction of sexual problems”, was not substantiated. Also, specific to the claims implying treatment for sexual problems, and advertisement visual implying enhancement of sexual pleasure, the advertisement is in breach of the law as it violates the Drugs & Magic Remedies Act.
Food & Beverages
Dabur India Ltd. (Dabur Chyawanprash): The claim in the advertisement, “eating Chyawanprash will protect us from pollution by building immunity”, was not adequately substantiated. Also, though the TVC was in Hindi, the voiceover/supers were in English. The TVC contravened Chapter I.1 of ASCI Code and ASCI Guidelines on Supers.
Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. (Patanjali Pure Cow’s Ghee): The reference to “Keratin” content in Cow’s milk” in the advertisement was found to be an error. The word Keratin was used instead of “Carotene” and the claim “Scientific fact: Cow’s milk contains Keratin” was incorrect.
Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. (Patanjali Atta Noodles): The claim in the advertisement, “Oil Free” was not substantiated and is misleading by implication.
Jivo Wellness Pvt. Ltd. (Jivo Canola Oils): The claims in the print advertisement, “Approximately 4 people may be dying per minute because of heart problem and 2 people every minute of diabetes. Surely YOU do not want to be one among 66.8 Million diabetes patients in India” “Let your head be where your heart is…in the lap of CANOLA HEALTH” “Make no compromise when it comes to health of yourself and family” “Bring the world’s most preferred and Healthiest Choice – Canola Oil in your kitchen” “A slight Lifestyle modification can save you from so many health problems” “Why Canola Oil is a better choice as your cooking oil” “In United States, Canola is the second most consumed oil”, “In Canada, over 70% of the population uses nothing but Canola”, “In Japan, over 50% of the population swears by Canola” were not substantiated and were misleading by exaggeration and implication. Further, the website claims “Heart Smart”, “Boost Memory”, “Effective in diabetes”, “Reduce Belly Fat”, “Effective On Cancer”, “Rejuvenate Joints”, “Reduce High B.P.” were not substantiated and were misleading by exaggeration and implication.
Dabur India Ltd. (Dabur Honey): The claim in the advertisement, “Ranked No.1 on Quality” was not substantiated for the “quality” aspect.
Education
Rice Education: The claim in the advertisement, “The Best Training for Govt. Jobs Examination”, is an absolute claim and was not substantiated with supporting comparative data versus other institutes.
Adamas Career: The claim in the advertisement, “The Best Choice for Medical and Engineering Entrance Examination”, was not substantiated.
TathaGat (MBA Entrance / CAT coaching): The claim in the advertisement, “TathaGat is Delhi’s most successful MBA Entrance / CAT coaching institute for last 5 years now”, was not substantiated.
Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd. (Byju’s Cat Coaching Institute): The claims in the advertisement, “Best CAT Coaching Institute in Delhi”, and “CAT Coaching by India’s Best Trainers, Byju and Santosh”, were not substantiated.
Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd. (Byju’s Classes): The claim in the advertisement, “Join the best coaching for CAT and boost your CAT preparation”, was not substantiated.
E-commerce
PortaMart (Flip cover for Xolo Black 1x): The claim offer of, “Flip cover for Xolo Black 1x – in stock – Rs. 249/-”, is false. Also, the claim offer distorts facts and is misleading, as the product is actually not in stock and the advertiser is offering an alternative product in replacement of the same.
Xeroin Retail Pvt. Ltd. (Jabong.com- Offer of extra 30% Off): The claim in the advertisement, “Shop from app and get extra 30% off on minimum purchase of 2999, use code EXTRA30”, is false, and misleading by omission of the mention of the validity of the offer.
Amazon.com (AdraxxCrosman Roof Prism Binoculars): The discrepancy between the specification declared on the Amazon.com web-site for AdraxxCrosman Roof Prism Binoculars, and the specification mentioned on the product visual led to the conclusion that the advertisement is misleading.
Ibibo Group P. Ltd. (redBus.in): The claim in the offer, “Mumbai to Goa Rs. 350”, is not substantiated with ticket reservation history corresponding to the period when the complainant visited the portal and is misleading.
HolidayIQ.in (Sweepstakes Offer): The Sweepstakes lucky draw contest was misleading by omission of mention of the date of execution and the date of announcements of winners of the lucky draw. The website contents did not show the T&C of the offer.
Others
Karrm Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. (Karrm Infra): The claims in the advertisement, “Buy one flat & get 2 flats free”, and “100% assurance of flats or cash discount of same amount”, were not substantiated, and were misleading by exaggeration.
Balaji Telefilms Ltd. (Kya Kool Hai Hum): The suggestive scenes in the movie promo showing “two men and women on the beach” are indecent, vulgar and repulsive, which, in the light of generally prevailing standards of decency and proprietary, will cause grave and widespread offence to general public.
Viacom18 Media Private Limited (Bigg Boss 9): The TV promo advertisement, depicting the protagonists wearing shoes in a temple is likely to cause grave and widespread offence.
Times of India (CP Quiz): The claim in the advertisement, ‘Presenting India’s most challenging school quiz’ was not substantiated by providing comparative data versus other contests of similar nature to support how this quiz is better in the challenge level and the claim of the “Most” challenging quiz.
Clat Possible – Founding Team: The claim in the advertisement, “founding team member Satyam Shanker Sahai finished runners up in the Grasim Mr. India 2003 rounds”, was not substantiated and was misleading by ambiguity.