May 8, 2013
96 complaints against ads upheld in February 2013: ASCI
The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of ASCI witnessed a sharp increase in the number of complaints against ads in Healthcare category in February 2013. The 36 complaints upheld in the healthcare category have surpassed that of the Education category of which most claim to guarantee 100% job placements.
HEALTHCARE
Dabur India Ltd’s Dabur Chyawanprash print ad claimed that “Dabur Chyawanprash provides 3 times more immunity”, “Helps improve the ability to fight illness by 3 times”, “ONLY Dabur Chyawanprash provides immunity”. The advertisers were not able to substantiate the claim with necessary support and data. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.4 of the Code and the complaint against the ad was UPHELD.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Complaints against the following claims made in print advertisements by six different advertisers were upheld by CCC:
CIBA MASALA UDYOG - Ciba Taaza
Spices claimed that it ”is approved by food safety and standard
authority of India (FSSAI)”, “Highest seller of branded Masala in
Rajasthan”.
KALEESUWARI REFINERY P.LTD - Gold Winner Sunflower Oil claimed that it is “India’s largest selling Refined Sunflower Oil”.
ANKUR CHEMFOOD LIMITED - Ankur Salt claimed that it is “No.1 salt of our country”, “World’s largest salt refinery”.
VIMAL OIL & FOODS LIMITED - Vimal Lite Table Migarine claimed that it “is India’s largest selling table margarine”.
UNITED SPIRITS LTD - McDowell’s No.1 Water & Soda claimed that it “is the No.1 drinking water”.
MEHAR HERBALS - Mehar Arjun Tea claimed that “One cup tea, protect
yourself from heart attack”, Mehar Herbals “has discovered a magical tea
formula that is Panacea for Heart ailments”, Mehar tea “cures heart
disease – decreases level of cholesterol – regularizes heart beat”,
“controls blood pressure – increases haemoglobin – opens up veins and
valve”, “reduces obesity – reduces mental and physical fatigue –
increases hunger”, “beneficial in piles – beneficial in typhoid, liver
ailments, hepatitis and jaundice”, “freedom from urinary blockage and
kidney disease – passes out toxin from body”, “improves eye sight –
enhances beauty and complexion – protects from cancer”, “improves “bal
and shukra” – prevents prameh (peshab mein dhaatu)”.
All these claims needed to be
substantiated with necessary support data and test reports of efficacy.
In the absence of comments from the advertisers, the CCC concluded that
the claims mentioned in the advertisements and cited in the complaints
were not substantiated. The advertisements contravened Chapter I.1 of
the Code. Complaints against these ads were UPHELD.
During the month of February, the CCC also received complaints against
15 advertisements. The complaints were received against the
advertisements of CADBURY INDIA LTD – Bournvita, BRITANNIA INDUSTRIES
LIMITED – Britannia Good Day Biscuits, LENOVO INDIA PVT LTD – Lenovo
Exclusive Store, LUMINOUS POWER TECHNOLOGIES P. LTD – Luminous Range,
JUBILANT FOOD WORKS LIMITED – Domino’s Cheesy Boloroni Pizza, BERGNER
IMPEX INDIA PVT LTD – Bergner Austria Kitchenware, INTERCRAFT TRADING
PVT LTD – Rouge Plump Lipstick, HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LTD – Close Up
Toothpaste, CELKON IMPEX PVT LTD – Celkon Smartron Mobile, SHREE CEMENT –
Ultra Red Oxide Cement, BACARDI INDIA PVT. LTD. – Bacardi Music CD’s –
Beach,DKT INDIA – DKT Condoms, QUIKR INDIA PVT. LTD., VOLKSWAGEN GROUP
SALES INDIA PVT. LTD., COLGATE PALMOLIVE (I) LIMITED – Colgate Total
Advanced Whitening Toothpaste. However, as these advertisements did not
contravene ASCI’s codes or guidelines, the complaints were NOT UPHELD.
Advertising Standard Council of
India (ASCI) is a self-regulatory voluntary organization of the
advertising industry. The Role and Functioning of the ASCI & its
Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) is in dealing with Complaints received
from Consumers and Industry, against Advertisements which are
considered as False, Misleading, Indecent, Illegal, leading to Unsafe
practices, or Unfair to competition, and consequently in contravention
of the ASCI Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising. ASCI's National
Advertising Monitoring Service has been instrumental in rigorously
tracking most of the advertisements being released across print and
television. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) was
established in 1985 and works to ensure the protection of the interests
of consumers. Its main objective is to promote responsible advertising,
thus enhancing the public's confidence in advertising.
With new standards, no more whining and dining
Benchmark:The standard also becomes important for Indian winemakers
looking at the export market
By year-end, Indian Wine Standards will be in place
As Indian-made wines try to win over connoisseurs in a
niche market, instances of poor quality beverage threatens the nascent
industry. However, by November this year, Indian Wine Standards are set
to be implemented to protect consumers’ interest and regulate wine
production.
Currently without any standards, the wine
industry is largely unregulated (except for excise rules), unlike in
other wine-producing countries.
Concerned about the
quality of wines, a draft proposal on the Indian Wine Standards notified
by the Indian Grape Processing Board under the Union Ministry of Food
Processing Industries, is being debated by the industry stakeholders and
officials concerned.
“Except for the alcohol content
and the grape varietal used, nothing is known about most wines. There
is no chemical analysis to ascertain the contents. In fact, there is no
control over production, processing and bottling of wine in the
country,” Robin Somaiah, chief executive officer of Surya Devine, told
The Hindu
. This is a serious concern for the wine industry that can also become a
health hazard if “unfit wine” is sold to consumers, he added.
According
to industry estimates, the country’s 65-odd wineries produce 1.5 crore
litres of wine annually and market them through about 300 labels.
Karnataka has 17 wineries that produce about 34 lakh litres annually
that are sold through about 70 labels. “The standard also becomes
important for Indian winemakers looking at the export market. Current
tests are being conducted only to find out the alcohol content,” said
Mr. Somaiah, who was part of the state-level deliberations recently.
Tests
proposed at the meeting concern glycols, esters, higher alcohol,
aldehydes and microbiological parameters such as mould and bacteria that
are related to health hazards.
To maintain quality, tests such as ethyl alcohol content, water, sugar, tartaric acid, and pH content have been proposed.
Meanwhile,
Karnataka Wine Board Managing Director Mahantesh Murgod said 11
laboratories approved by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products
Export Development Authority (APEDA), including one in Bangalore, have
been identified to undertake tests. “Chemical analysis on the wines will
be made on 10 parameters. Legal action would be initiated against those
violating the standards,” he added.
Draft proposals
According
to him, the stakeholders’ meetings in Karnataka and Maharashtra are
over and done with and the Union Government is in the process of
submitting the draft proposals to Food Safety and Standards Authority of
India (FSSAI), following which it would be notified. “In all
probability, the standards would be announced in November this year.
This will not only benefit the customers, but also the industry as
Indian wines could be exported,” he added.
The wine industry is largely unregulated, unlike in other wine-producing countries
Current tests are being conducted only to find out the alcohol content
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