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Health Matters-Immune Restore – ASA ruling

Posted 07 May 2012

A consumer lodged a consumer complaint against the respondent’s print advertisement appearing in the Mail and Guardian during December 2011. The advertisement, inter alia, promotes the respondent’s “Immune Restore Optimal Health Supplements” under the heading “ARE YOU HIV+?” It punts the product as “… a combination of trace elements essential for normal immune system” and explains that it “… replaces the vital aminal acids & vitamins depleted by HIV”.

In essence, the complainant submitted that the claims highlighted above (save for “CAN BE TAKEN WITH ARVS”, which the complainant did not specify) are unsubstantiated. In addition, the references to HIV, viral load, CD4 counts and ARVs are clearly a reference to Aids, which contravenes the provisions of Appendix F.

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Health Matters-Fat Burn – ASA ruling

Posted 07 May 2012

A consumer lodged a consumer complaint against the respondent’s print advertisement appearing in the Mail and Guardian during December 2011. The advertisement, inter alia, promotes the respondent’s “FATBURN” weight loss product as “The 4 in 1 Weight Loss Solution For Best Results!!!”  In essence, the complainant submitted that the claims highlighted above are unsubstantiated. He explained that the respondent’s website makes reference to the substance “Opuntia ficus-indica”, but that there is no evidence to suggest that this substance or ingredient (derived from a cactus) has any effect on weight loss. 

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