A South African consumers' guide to scams, pseudoscience and voodoo science, OR, a critical thinker's guide to the ins and outs of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Homemark makes the following claims for this product:
“blasts away unwanted fat, smooth and softens the appearance of orange peel skin, and improves circulation”;
The name “Fat Blaster”;
“improved circulation and daily massage is proven to assist with the reduction of cellulite and orange peel skin”.
A complainant argued that these claims are false and highly unlikely. He is unable to find any evidence that this device, or a similar device, is able to satisfy the claims being made. Therefore, without evidence, the claims are unproven and will dupe the ordinary consumer into purchasing a likely useless product.
This product claims in a Carte Blanche advert that it would allow users to “Lose the weight you’ve always wanted to lose, in only seven short days, without ever stepping foot in a gym …” It adds that this “… Jump Start seven-day programme is super-fast weight loss to flush out stored toxins, and once you remove these toxins the fat is released from your body in a quick, yet safe manner”. It also features the following “Before” and “After” photos of people purported to have lost weight using this programme.
The Complainant submitted that there is insufficient evidence to support reliance on juice- based diets, that research from trusted sources have linked liquid diets to an increased risk of eating disorders and health complications, and that people should only undertake liquid based diets under close medical supervision.
The Complainant added that there was no evidence … Read the rest
A consumer laid a complaint with the Advertising Regulatory Board against the claims being made for Wondernut arguing that there is no robust evidence to support the claims being made for this product.
The product claims, inter alia:
May Lose centimetres
May Improve Muscle tone, May Increase weight loss and detoxifies your system.
May Maintains Energy levels
May Enhances skin – Making it soft and shiny May increase your skin elasticity
Transform food into energy instead of fat
After a thorough consideration, the ARB agreed and ruled against the claims being made for this product.
The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board has been called upon to consider claims made by the Advertiser for its “Wondernut Capsule” … Read the rest
The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board was called upon to consider a complaint against claims made on the Advertiser’s website https://www.optiway.co.za/ and heard during a radio commercial.
The Complainant submitted that there is insufficient evidence to show that this test, which is “… essentially an IgG type test ” can deliver on its claimed efficacy, that is, can detect foods which result in “food intolerance”.
The ARB concluded that in light of the adverse finding, the Advertiser is requested to withdraw this claim with immediate effect and within the deadlines stipulated in Clause 15.3 of the Procedural Guide.
A consumer complaint was laid with the Advertising Regulatory Bureau against the advertising of Nivea “Perfect & Radiant Luminous630 Anti Dark Marks Serum”.
The complainant submitted that he contacted Nivea and asked for evidence of these “extraordinary” claims. Nivea was unwilling to provide any evidence, citing reasons of confidentiality, but assured him that “… the study was conducted in compliance with the necessary international and local standards applicable”.
The complainant therefore turned to the ARB arguing that without evidence, the claims cannot be justified.
The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board has been called upon to consider a consumer complaint against advertising promoting the Advertiser’s … Read the rest
In November 2020, the Advertising Regulatory Board ruled against the claims being made by Herbex UltraSlim preventing further advertising of this product on DSTV and elsewhere. The complainant argued that there is zero evidence to show that this product has any effect on weight-loss, or any of the other claims being made for the product.
Herbex has now appealed this ruling, supplying a ‘dossier’ compiled by Dr Craig Wright, a homeopath and herbal practitioner. The original complainant argued that the dossier still did not substantiate the claims for the product. The ABR agreed.
Herewith the ruling:
Decision of the Advertising Regulatory Board
Complainant: Dr Harris Steinman Advertiser: Newgroup (Pty) Ltd Consumer/Competitor: Consumer File reference: 1055 – Herbex Ultraslim – Dr Harris Steinman Outcome: New substantiation partially accepted
Date :13 May 2021
The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board has been called upon to consider new substantiation … Read the rest
A complaint was laid with the ARB (Advertising Regulatory Board) regarding Homemark’s claims for their ‘Weighted Blanket’, which claimed among other, “It is useful for anxiety and stress”, “Creates a focus on ADHD”, “Alleviates restless leg syndrome”, “Enhances sleep quality”, “It helps you stay asleep at night”. The complainant argued that these claims are not supported by evidence and therefore dupe consumers into spending around R800 for a product with no evidence of being able to help.
The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board has been called on to consider a complaint by Dr Harris Steinman against Homemark’s online advertising promoting its “Anti Anxiety Weighted Blanket”. The … Read the rest
Board says it will rule even on advertising claims by companies that are not members
The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has made it clear that it will rule against companies that make unproven medical claims, even if those companies are not members of the ARB.
ARB is a self-regulating authority, and its members join it voluntarily. There has been an ongoing debate dating back to the ARB’s predecessor, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), as to whether it can make rulings about the adverts of non-members.
The ARB replaced the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after the latter went into liquidation in 2018.
The ARB has in recent months ruled that members should remove advertisements by three companies claiming the medical efficacy of their products. All three advertisements were broadcast on M-Net during the evening. M-Net is a member of the … Read the rest
A complaint was laid with the ARB (Advertising Regulatory Board) objecting to the claims that this product is effective for stress, anxiety and minor sleep disorders. The complainant noted that stress and insomnia are disabling conditions, which means consumers would expect a product making these types of claims to be supported by objective evidence.
Furthermore, the principle of homeopathic medicine manufacture, is to dilute the primary ingredient (which in itself has no evidence of treating these conditions), to a point where the product contains no residual molecules of its original respective ingredients. Imagine diluting panado to a point where there is not a single molecule of panado left in the tablet, and then claiming it will alleviate your headache.
In other words, according to my argument, this product is no better than simply drinking a teaspoon of tap water. If you have stress, anxiety and minor … Read the rest
A complaint was laid with the Advertising Regulatory Board against the claims being made for this product.
Complainant: Dr Harris Steinman Advertiser: Homemark (Pty) Ltd Consumer/Competitor: Consumer File reference: 1048 – Homemark Detox Tea – Dr Harris Steinman Outcome: Upheld Date: 24 November 2020
The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board has been called on to consider a complaint by Dr Harris Steinman against Homemark’s television commercial promoting its Remedy Health “Detox Tea”. According to the Complainant, this commercial flighted on M-Net at 22:11 on 23 September 2020, and an extended version thereof is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPGnERvZ2Ho.
Description of the Advertising
The television commercial opens with a grey colour tone, showing several people looking tired, irritable, struggling to fit in their pants, rubbing their stomachs and appearing generally lethargic. During these scenes, the voice-over states “Not interested in life anymore? We’re just not full … Read the rest