All these fancy products make quite fancy claims. Undoubtedly, they are ambiguous and exaggerated. Sometimes we buy them, some time we laugh it off. But a few of the mindful take matters into their hand and file complaints with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).
In response to these complaints, ASCI has banned 82 advertisements out the total 148 complaints received during June ’15.
Out of 148 ads, 26 belonged to the Personal and Healthcare category, followed by 22 ads in the Education category, 9 in Food and Beverage category, 7 in media and entertainment category and 18 ads from other categories.
Flipkart Internet Private Limited: The website communication claims the MRP of the product as Rs. 799, when actual printed MRP on product is Rs. 399 which is being offered as the discounted price for Canvera. The website communication claims the MRP of the product as Rs. 999, when actual printed MRP on product is Rs. 449 which is being offered as the discounted price for OBS. This distorts facts and is therefore misleading the consumers as to actual discount being offered.
Career Launcher: The claims in the advertisement (“3 OUT OF 5 TOPPERS IN CLAT 2015 ARE CLSTians, 7 State Toppers & Counting”) were not substantiated.
Amity University: The advertisement claim, “Amity University ranked among the Top Universities in Asia by QS, a leading ranking organization”, was not substantiated.
L’Oreal India P. Ltd (Garnier PureActive Neem+ Tulsi High Foaming Face): The advertisement, promotional pamphlets and leaflets of the product claiming, “removal of 99.9 % pimple causing germs”, were found ambiguous and unsubstantiated.
Uber: The advertisement by Uber states, “You drink, we drive”; when read in conjunction with the depiction of logos of Bars such as Zara, etc. as #UBERAPPROVED PARTNERS, was seen to promote alcohol drinking.
Lotus Herbals Limited (Lotus Herbals Youth RX): The advertisement claims, “A firmer and younger skin in just 7 days”, “In 4 weeks 96 percent of users have agreed that effects of ageing are almost gone”; the claims were inadequately substantiated.
Pillsbury: The claim in the advertisement, “…Payein bilkul ghar jaisa swaad. Yeh hai desh ki 10 mein se 9 mahilaon ka kehna”, for the Pillsbury Rava Idli Mix was not substantiated.
Find a detailed list here.
Well, janta ko dhokha dene walon, janta maaf nahin karegi!!