The Consumer Complaint Council (CCC) received 38 complaints in July, 2012, out of which it upheld 25 complaints. During the same period, the CCC did not uphold complaints against 13 advertisements. There was an increase of misleading claims in the education, healthcare, FMCG and food sectors during the month.
ADVERTISER |
AD |
Complaint Cited |
Ruling |
CCC |
Hindustan Unilever |
Pepsodent |
The TVC claims that Pepsodent Germicheck Magnet toothpaste “is better than the well-known toothpaste” |
Upheld |
The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code |
Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare |
Boost |
The TVC claims that “the consumption of Boost not only increases oxygen consumption but gives three times more stamina” |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claim, “Boost gives 3 times more stamina”, is misleading by reason of ambiguity. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.4 of the Code. |
Jyothi Laboratories |
Maxo Max Power Liquid |
The TVC claims that just one drop of Maxo is enough to get rid of mosquitoes. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claim “one drop of Maxo is enough to get rid of mosquitoes”, was not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code |
Hindustan Unilever |
Ponds Gen White |
The TVC claims that Ponds Gen White is the first cream which adapts to skin type and gives spotless fairness. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claim that Ponds Gen White “gives spotless fairness”, was not substantiated adequately. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. |
Career Launcher |
CSAT Classroom Program |
The print advertisement’s claim“80+ Selections in CS Prelims’11” has not been backed and substantiated with data/evidence. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claim, “80 + Selections in CS Prelims’11”, was not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. |
Ranbaxy Laboratores |
Revital Woman |
The print advertisement claims that Revital woman is a daily health supplement, it has balanced combination of 12 vitamins, 18 minerals and ginseng which fights weakness, fatigue and tiredness, keeps physically active and mentally alert, maintains healthy hair, skin and nails, strengthens immunity and promotes bone health, take care of general body ache and pains, helps manage daily stress better. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that in the absence specific scientific data, the claims made in the advertisement and cited in the complaint were not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code |
Knorr |
Knorr Soupy Noodles |
The TVC claims 1 crore children like Knorr Soupy Noodles. The advertiser needs to provide statistical proof in substantiation of the claim. |
Upheld |
The CCC considered the data submitted by the advertiser, and concluded that the claim ‘1 crore children like Knorr Soupy Noodles” was not substantiated adequately. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. |
Euro Fashion |
Euro Fashion Inners |
The TVC shows “still photographs of three muscularly and sturdily built men, without any clothes and with their crotch area covered with a cock, a melon, a drum shaped object and a guitar respectively. A background voice suggestively runs, “what’s your size?" |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that in the light of generally prevailing standards of decency and propriety, the TVC was likely to cause grave or widespread offence. The advertisement contravened Chapter II of the Code. |
Flair Writing Instruments |
Flair Writo meter pen |
The promotion message on the pack of “Flair Writo Meter Pen” claims that Flair “is the longest writing pen in the world”, “World’s first pen which writes 10000 meters non-stop”. |
Upheld |
In the absence of comparative data, the claims, “World’s first pen” and “longest writing pen in the world”, were not substantiated. The promotion messages on the pack contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code |
Oriental Group of Hotel Management Institute |
|
The print advertisement claims that it is the Best Hotel Management College in Asia; it is India’s Best Hotel Management Institute and gives 100% track record with attractive salary. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claims mentioned in the advertisement and cited in the complaint were not substantiated adequately. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the code. |
Nimson International |
Fair and Kwick Fairness Cream |
The print advertisement claims that, Fair and Kiwi Fairness Cream cleans the face deeply, removes spots, softens the skin, protects skin from harmful rays and daily use removes wrinkles and dark spots. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that, in the absence of technical data, the claims made in the advertisement and cited in the complaint were not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. |
Shopping India Times |
|
The print advertisement is luring customers to purchase the product through telephone. Those who purchase by using credit card are entitled to get free Indiatimes gift coupon worth Rs.250/-. |
Upheld |
The CCC noted the correspondence between the advertiser and the Complainant and concluded that the inordinate delay in sending the promised gift coupon did not amount to an unintentional lapse in the fulfillment of the advertised promise. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.7 of the Code. |
Tara Homeopathy Clinic |
|
The print ad claims that, getting hair on a bald head is no longer a dream as Tara Homeopathy Clinic grows hair naturally in few days. |
Upheld |
The claim “Getting hair on a bald head is no longer a dream”, was not substantiated and was misleading. The advertisement contravened Chapters I.1and I.4 of the Code. |
Umalaxmi Organics |
Sugar Remedy |
The print advertisement claims that Sugar Remedy is a natural diabetic medicine. It is as effective as standard allopathic medicine, without any side effects, it is totally vegetarian and gelatine free. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claims made in the advertisement and cited in the complaint were not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. |
Dhathri Ayurveda |
Dhathri Hair Care Range |
The print advertisement claims that, Dhathri Hair Care Plus Herbal Oil stops hair fall, it gives nourishment till the roots of the hair and stops hair fall within few weeks |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claims mentioned in the advertisement and cited in the complaint were not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter 1.1 of the Code. |
Western Institute of Technology |
|
The print advertisement claims that Western Institute of Technology offers Diploma and degree of highest demand in the global market, it has given 100% placement to all its batches of hotel and hospitality students and it has placed many students in more than 40 locations/companies. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that in the absence of comparative data, the claim that it has the “highest demand in the global market” was not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. |
Cosemtic Surgery Clinic |
|
The print advertisement claims that, after hair transplant there will be a natural growth of hair. They also claim that with liposuction there will not be any reformation of fat in the body. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claims mentioned in the advertisement and cited in the complaint were not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the code. |
Yash Ayurvedic and non surgical clinic |
|
The print advertisement claims that Yash Ayurvedic & Non-Surgical Clinic cures diabetes within 90 to 120 days, give relief within 7 days from knee and joint pain, treats asthma and piles in 10 days, increases 5 kg weight within 28 days, it decreases 7 kg weight within 28 days, makes you fair and removes scars in 40 minutes and is 100% Ayurvedic. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claims mentioned in the advertisement and cited in the complaint, were not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. |
Fenfuro |
|
The print ad claims that, FENFURO is a first of its kind product derived from a single herb with proven results for maintaining blood sugar levels. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claims mentioned in the advertisement and cited in the complaint, were inadequately substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. |
Ayurved Bhavan |
|
The print advertisement claims that one can see an effect in seven days after treatment from Ayurved Bhavan and also reduction in creatinine and urea, fastest increase in haemoglobin. |
Upheld |
The claims mentioned in the advertisement and cited in the complaint, were inadequately substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. |
Footwear Design and development institute |
|
The print advertisement’s claims a 100% placement record with leading corporates in India and abroad. This claim needs to be substantiated. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claim, “100% placement records with leading Corporates in India and abroad” was not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. |
The Kaveri Engineering Institute |
|
The TVC claims that Kavery Educational Institution gives 100 % job placement. The advertiser needs to substantiate the claim. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claim of “100% Job placement” was not substantiated and was misleading as only ‘eligible’ students were placed. The advertisement contravened Chapters I.1 and I.4 of the Code. |
Dhupar Sales Organisation India |
|
The TVC shows “a mother sending her young son for delivering some gifts to the neighbour who is a young adult lady. She opens the door on arrival of the boy. She then seduces him and takes him inside the house. After a while the mother is shown on the door enquiring about her son, and the son is putting on his clothes”. |
Upheld |
‘The CCC concluded that, in the light of generally prevailing standards of decency and propriety, the TVC was likely to cause grave or widespread offence. The advertisement contravened Chapter II of the Code. |
Jegson Innovative Industries |
|
The TVC claims that Veg Fru Wash kills pesticides, bacteria and viruses from all fruits and vegetables. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that the claim, Veg Fru Wash “kills pesticides, bacteria and viruses from all fruits and vegetables”, was not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code |
Dr KKR Gowtham International School |
|
The TVC claims that Dr. KKR to be No. 1 in IIT exam clearance. It also claims that all the students of Dr. KKR Gowtham International School will clear the 1st stage of IIT exam at any cost. |
Upheld |
The CCC concluded that in the absence of comparative data, the claim “No.1 in IIT exam clearance” was not substantiated. The advertisement contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. |
During the month of July, the CCC also received complaints against three print advertisements and 10 TVCs. The complaints were received against the advertisements of “Smart Prep’s Guidance and Expert Training’’, “Nestle Neslac’’, “Brainwork’s Learning Systems’’, “Eshwar Trust’’, “UTV Stars’’, “Lovable Lingerie’’, “Fast Track Bags’’, “Vivel Active Fair’’, “Aquaguard’’, “Dettol Liquid Hand Wash’’, “Vera Mustard Oil’’, “Himani Navratna Extra Thanda’’ and “AVJ InfoTech’’. However, as these advertisements did not contravene ASCI’s codes or guidelines, the complaints were not upheld.