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UK ASA ruling: Wartner wart removal

By on 11 February, 2009 in ASA (UK) Rulings
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The ASA considered that the ad, particularly the voice-over and on-screen text "Wartner freezes warts and verrucas to the core in one treatment", implied that Wartner would remove a wart or verruca in one treatment.

We noted the evidence did not prove that that was the case; rather the safety report and Wartner packaging stated that two or three treatments could be required and the testimonials did not comment on whether the product removed warts or verrucas in one treatment.

We considered that, because Wartner did not remove all warts or verrucas in one treatment, the ad was likely to mislead.

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F.D.A. Finds “Natural” Diet Pills Laced With Drugs

By on 10 February, 2009 in Other, Recent related news
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February 9, 2009

This article by NATASHA SINGER in the New York Times,  reports that the USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now says weight-loss capsules, called StarCaps and promoted as natural dietary supplements using papaya, could be hazardous to your health.

In violation of the law, the agency has found, the capsules also contained a potent pharmaceutical drug called bumetanide which can have serious side effects. In a continuing investigation that has prompted consumer warnings and recalls by some distributors, the F.D.A. has determined that dozens of weight-loss supplements, most of them imported from China, contain hidden and potentially harmful drugs. In the coming weeks, the agency plans to issue a longer list of brands to avoid that are spiked with drugs. Read the remainder of the New York Times report.

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Herbal remedies for arthritis mostly ineffective, says study

By on 10 February, 2009 in Recent related news
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Tuesday 10 February 2009

This article, from the Guardian, writes that many herbal medicines and other complementary therapies do nothing to help people with rheumatoid arthritis, referring  to a report published today. A review of published data on natural remedies found the majority were completely ineffective at relieving patients' symptoms, or had only tentative evidence to suggest they worked. Read more at the Guardian

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Neu-U – Austell Laboratories

By on 5 February, 2009 in ASA (SA) Rulings, Neoptunia, Other
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Posted 05 February 2009

A consumer complaint was laid against a print advertisement for “Neu-U” in Modern Medicine magazine (and also advertised on a website).

The advertisement is headed “THE LATEST WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SOLUTION” and states, inter alia, that “In-vitro tests conducted on a gastrointestinal model have shown that NeOptunina reduces fat absorption by 28,3%”.

It also contains a pack shot featuring the words “clinically proven fat binder”.  In essence, the complainant submitted that the in-vitro study referred to was a computer assisted model and no testing was done on animals or humans to determine whether the claims apply when used by humans. In addition, no other studies have been done on this product.

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Hoodia Slender Gel / Slender Max

By on 5 February, 2009 in ASA (SA) Rulings, Hoodia, Slender Gel, SlimBetti
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Posted 5 February 2009

A consumer complaint against a Hoodia Slender Gel internet advertisement that appeared on http://www.planethoodia.co.za and on promotional pamphlets was laid with the ASA. The advertisements claims that the product, inter alia, “SUPPRESSES APPETITE”, or “will assist with: SUPRESSING YOUR APPETITE & CRAVINGS” “REDUCES CRAVINGS” INCREASES ENERGY LEVELS “ENHANCES SKIN TONE”, OR “will assist with: … IMPROVING YOUR SKIN TONE” “will assist with: … REDUCING THE APPEARANCE OF CELLULITE” “will assist with: … INCREASING BODY DETOXIFICATION”.

We said: Nonsense – no robust evidence to support this claim!

What did the ASA rule?

NB: This product has changed its name from Hoodia Slender Gel to Slender Max

 

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Procydin

By on 30 January, 2009 in Myths and Superstitions
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This post refers to a claim made by Procydin in 2009, but only posted now for posterity.

This product claimed on its label: “Helps prevent your body from rusting away”

This is extremely misleading as there is no part of your body that can “rust”. When a metal is exposed to water and oxygen, a chemical reaction called  oxidation takes place which causes corrosion. When this takes place with iron, it results in a reddish-brown discolouration which may flake off and is known as rust.

Oxidation can also occur when a fruit such as apples or bananas are exposed to air, and they develop a brownish discolouration.

Inside the body “oxidation” is said to take place when a transfer of “free radicals” occurs. This is not the same thing as “rusting”. Normally the free radicals (another name for unstable electrons) attach themselves to any molecule nearby which is able to … Read the rest

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