ASCI’s CCC upholds complaints against 57 ads in Nov ’13

In November 2013, ASCI’s Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) upheld complaints against 57 ads, of the 65 complained against. Health and personal care continued to lead with the highest number of complaints received. 

 

Health and personal care

 

The CCC found the following claims in health and personal care product or service ads of 44 advertisers, released in the press to be either misleading or false or not adequately/scientifically substantiated and hence violating ASCI’s Code. Some of the health care products or services ads also contravened provisions of the Drug & Magic Remedies Act. Complaints against the following ads were upheld: 

 

Online Ads

 

The ad for Stayzilla.com contravened Chapter II of the ASCI Code.  The advertisement of website of 99acres.com contravened Chapter III.1 (b) of the Code and www.surfaceinternational.com’s internet ad contravened Chapter I.1 of the Code. 

 

Food and beverages

 

The CCC concluded that the claims mentioned in these advertisements were not substantiated.  The advertisements contravened ASCI’s Code. 

 

Education

 

The CCC concluded that the websites of Rameshwaram Vishwa Vidyapeeth University and Kendriya Vishwavidyala University claim of the ‘Universities being accredited by the British Accreditation Council’ was not substantiated and was misleading.  The websites’ claims contravened Guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions and Programs as well as Chapters I.1 and I.4 of the ASCI Code.  The complaint was upheld.

 

Consumer Durables

 

V-Guard Industries Ltd: V- Guard Water Heaters TVC contravened Chapter II of the ASCI Code.  The complaint was upheld.

 

Auto

 

The TVC by two different advertisers violated Chapter III.3 of the ASCI Guidelines on advertisements for automotive vehicles.

 

Health and Personal Care
Company	Brand
Ambic Ayurved	NavPaurush Powder/Capsules
Amba Health Clinic
Anmol Ayur Clinic
Ayurvedik Vikas Sansthan	Energic-31
Chaitanya Hospital
Dhanvantari Super Speciality Ayurvedic Hospital & Panch Center
Dr R P Kakkar Clinic
Shree Kalyan Ayurvedashram
Dr. Nigam’s Good Health Pvt. Ltd	Dr. Nigam’s Hair Multiplication
Dr.Ashwini’s Obesity & Homoeo Health Care Centre
Dr.Amrapali’s Trim N Tone
Dr Bhurani Multi Speciality Homoeo Clinic
Detox Hospital	Detox
Dr. Care Cosmetics	Syor Powder
The Himalaya Drug Company	Himalaya Sparkling White Toothpaste
Dr. Sheetal’s Slim Express
Future Planner Enterprises	Ret Radifree Gold
GTM Teleshopping Pvt. Ltd	Brain Smart
Hindustan Unilever Ltd	Pepsodent Germi Check + Expert Protection Pro Complete Toothbrush
Dr.Sheetals Slim Express
Hindustan Unilever Ltd	New Close Up Deep Action Toothpaste
Hans Herbal Overseas	Hans Snow
Indian Fowrazin
Jolly Pharma	Jolly Fat Go
Jay Shree Pharmaceuticals	Pilora Powder /Cream
Jay Shree Pharmaceutical	Fat Kill Capsules & Oil
Mellitus Capsules
Marico Ltd	Nihar Shanti Amla Hair Oil
Nirog Clinic
Oma Health & Beauty Clinic
Omega Hospital
Pratiraj Herbal Pharmacy	Navjeevan Hair Oil
Springs
Shathayu Ayurveda
Tara Homeopathy Clinic
Slim Care Herbal Products	Slim Fast Capsule/Powder
Shankar Nursing Home
Roojssel’s Slimming Beauty and Hair Clinic
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd	Revital
Shape & Glow
Sanjeevan School for Perfect Eyesight	Natural Vision Improvement Centre
Sri Sanjeevini Solutions
The Body Care Slimming & Beauty Clinic for Men and Women
Venktesh Dal & Flour Mill	Santrupthi Diabetic Atta
Online Ads
Company	Brand
Inasra Technologies Pvt Ltd	Stayzilla.com
Info Edge (India) Ltd	99acres.com
www.surfaceinternational.com
Food & Beverages
Company	Brand
Pizza Hut
International Pvt Ltd	Bisleri Vedica
United Biscuits Pvt. Ltd	Mcvitie’s Digestive Biscuit
Saboo Sodium Chloro Ltd	Surya Salt
Auto
Company	Brand
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd	Maruti Alto 800
TVS Star City
Education
Company	Brand
Rameshwaram Vishwa Vidyapeeth University
Kendriya Vishwavidyala University
Others
Company	Brand
Future Bazaar	The Big Bazaar
Lal Kitab Amrit	Yes I Can