ASCI’s Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) has upheld 89 advertisements out of the total of 162 advertisements that were evaluated by it. The list contains ads of popular brands including Xiaomi Logistics, Yamaha Motor, Tata Steel and many more.
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Out of the total 89 complaints, 24 belonged to the healthcare sector, 34 to the education sector, 20 to the food & beverages category, 2 to the personal care and 9 were from the ‘others’ category.
Exaggeration of product efficacy is the most claimed reason for upholding complaints. Other reasons include facts and numbers which were inadequate to substantiate claims, using lack of knowledge of consumers guidelines.
CCC also observed smartphone companies were unethically attracting customers by claiming the biggest sale ever in the history of India. Several ads used logos of FSSAI which was considered to be inappropriate and are required to have approval from the state licensing authorities. This gives misleading information to the audience.
Advertisements of brands with direct complaints:
Healthcare
Shape in Slimming Centre, Aura Weight Loss Clinic, A R Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd (Ashwa Shakti powder), Jolly Healthcare (Jolly Vaseir), Greek Retail P. Limited (Refollium Capsules).
Food & Beverages
All India Poultry Development and Service. Perfetti Van Melle India Pvt. Ltd (Chupa Chup Sour Strip and Sour Bite), Oshun Food Products Private Ltd (Native Milk), Mobius Foundation/ Ayurvet Limited (Antibiotics in Chicken), Nutravo Lifecare Pvt Ltd (Nutralyfe Garcinia Cambogia Herbs).
Education
National Institute of Fire & Safety Engineering (NIFSE), LegalEdge Tutorials, National Academy Of Fire and Safety Engineering (NAFS), Fortune Computer Academy.
Personal Care
The Himalaya Drug Company (Himalaya Youth Eternity under Eye Cream), The Promen.in (Promen Lip Lightener)
Others
Xiaomi Logistics, Jivi Mobiles, Yamaha FZ, Walter Bushnell (Uriliser), Tata Steel Ltd (Tata Pipes)