Posted 29 May 2015  | | A consumer lodged a consumer complaint against a Milk Galore’s Internet advertisement promoting the Milk Galore juice which made, inter alia, the following claims: |
- “…helps to increase breast milk”
- “Milk Galore has a solution that has incorporated natural herbs that stimulates lactation…”
- 100% freshly squeezed fruits and herbs
- “…increases overall breast milk supply, promotes a faster let-down to alleviate baby’s colic symptoms…”
The complainant argued that the advertisement is misleading as it claims that the product will, among other, increase milk supply but failed to substantiate the said claim even after repeated requests. The ASA ruled in favour of the complainant. … Read the rest Posted 24 May 2015  | | 20th March 2015″The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 10,620 refund checks totaling more than $416,000 starting today to consumers who lost money buying two skin creams marketed by L’Occitane, Inc., which falsely claimed the creams had “body slimming” capabilities.” |
“The amount each consumer receives will vary based on how much of the product they bought.” [note note_color=”#faf8c2″]These products are sold in South AfricaWhat type of ethics do the South African agents of this company subscribe to if two months after the FTC media release, the deceitful claims continue to be made for the product sold in South Africa? “L’OCCITANE has captured the firming properties of almond with this formula, concentrated in powerful natural active ingredients. Our fresh gel includes a network of almond proteins, combined with a tightening almond extract and silicium derivative, which support the skin’s surface to sculpt and tone. This patented complex … Read the rest Posted 18 May 2015 This article titled ‘Magic’ vs science: Matter of choice, published in the Mail & Guardian on 14 May 2015, is written by Joan Koka, a master’s student from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and presently an intern with the Mail & Guardian’s health journalism centre, Bhekisisa. She discusses homeopathy, CAMS and the Health Products Association approach to the Pretoria High Court regarding the government’s legislative amendments governing CAMS. … Read the rest Posted 15 May 2015 In a post titled, Flu vaccines might be ineffective, so try… water (otherwise known as Oscillococcinum)?, the well known critical thinker, Jacques Rousseau, has commented on LeBron’s press-release for Oscillococcinum (which we have also commented on). Extract: “Briefly, on Oscillococcinum itself, you’d be amused to read up on it, as the story of its origins and composition is quite the catalogue of pseudoscience in action. While there might be nothing that trumps Scientology for batshittery, Oscillococcinum gives it a damn good try…”
Read the post here … Read the rest Posted 15 May 2015 It is one thing to sell a product that has no proof of benefit, another to claim it is more effective than one that has. Lebron, the local agents for Oscillococcinum – a homeopathic product that claims to be effective for the symptoms of flu and colds (but is not), have made the repugnant suggestion in a press-release that “flu vaccines may not work”, and that Oscillococcinum should be used instead. The press release misleadingly does not point out that flu vaccines DO work – but not for a specific strain of flu that may emerge, and infers that therefore one should consider not using a flu vaccine and instead use Oscillococcinum. … Read the rest Posted 11 May 2015 Although CamCheck focuses mainly on complementary medicines (CAMs), we occasionally put the spotlight on other scams or areas of concern we have, including so-called conventional or Western medicines. Sometimes we are alerted to other ways in which people may be misled therapeutically. One of these comes from the field of sexology. This article, Sexologists battle over who is the real deal, written by Nombulelo Damba, published on 8 May 2015 in GroundUp, is one of those areas we just cannot but shine the spotlight on. GroundUp has given us permission to republish. Additional comments and notes are CamCheck’s responsibility. The article uses Hieronymus Bosch’s painting, “Cutting the Stone” from the 1490s, which as GroundUp states, “is a timeless reminder of the folly of quackery”. Sexologists battle over who is the real deal GroundUp 8 May 2015 – Nombulelo Damba Two sexology institutes in Gauteng … Read the rest Posted 07 May 2015 A Breach allegation was lodged, arguing that this product is still being distributed and sold by retailers. The ASA Directorate, however, accepted that the breach did not appear to be calculated and deliberate. Therefore any additional sanction beyond the immediate removal of the amended advertising is required at this time. USN was cautioned that the responsibility to ensure compliance with the ASA ruling lies with it.
… Read the rest Posted 05 May 2015 This is an old ruling from February 2014 in which the complainant argued that Homemark claimed for this product, “H]as a laxative effect which helps the digestive system to eliminate toxins from the body through urea and sweating” is possible.” The ASA ruled that “[A]t present, the breach allegation must fail, because the respondent does not appear to be making the claims originally ruled against.” … Read the rest Posted 04 May 2015 This is an interesting ruling for, in 2013, we pointed out in a complaint to the ASA that USN was lying about the amount of protein in their product. Now USN has laid a complaint with the ASA against a competitor’s product, making the same argument. However the ASA examined the test report of the competitor and ruled against USN’s complaint. … Read the rest Posted 04 May 2015 This is an interesting ruling for, in 2013, we pointed out in a complaint to the ASA that USN was lying about the amount of protein in their product. Now USN has laid a complaint with the ASA against a competitor’s product, making the same argument. However the ASA examined the test report of the competitor and ruled against USN’s complaint. … Read the rest | |
