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 submitted several documents to the ARB, along with an explanation why it believes that these documents substantiate the claims that this product is making.
After considering the substantiation, the ARB was not willing to accept the 2014 report from “Dr M Burnstein Research & Development” as substantiation for efficacy claims previously ruled against.
And significantly, there is very little aragan oil in this product!
Decision of the ADVERTISING REGULATORY BOARD
Advertiser: Homemark (Pty) Ltd Consumer/Competitor: Consumer File reference: 3392 – Homemark Aragan Secret Nail Treatment Oil Outcome: New substantiation not accepted Date: 20 November 2024
The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board has been called upon to consider new substantiation submitted by the Advertiser in this matter.
Background to the dispute
In 3392 – Homemark Aragan Secret Nail Treatment Oil (6 September 2024), the Directorate ruled that the Advertiser did not provide any evidence … Read the rest
Homemark submitted new ‘evidence’ (substantiation) to argue that the claims for their product, Pest Magic, was true.
The ARB interrogated the substantiation, and concluded:
Accordingly, the Directorate cannot accept the new substantiation, and the claims previously held to be unsubstantiated remain, at this time, unsubstantiated and in breach of Clause 4.1 of Section II of the Code.
Furthermore: The Complainant noted that this product is advertised as an “Ultrasonic Pest Repeller”. Ultrasonic devices emit sound. Mr Nusser, however, referred to the product as an “Electromagnetic Pest Control” device. Electromagnetic devices do not emit sound. This contradiction alone implies that the Advertiser is misleading consumers about the nature of the product.
A quick dictionary, or even Google search, would show that “ultrasonic” refers to high sound wave frequencies (too high for humans to hear), whereas “electromagnetic” refers to electronic particles and magnetic charges between them that … Read the rest
Homemark continues to dupe customers claiming, now for years, that this treatment can fix broken nails, fungal infections, etc, in spite of numerous ASA/ARB (Advertising Regulatory Board) rulings against the claims. The rulings are valid for Homemark is unable to supply a shred of evidence to back up its claims.
Now two consumers coincidentally laid a new complaint with the ARB arguing that this product is no more than a ‘scam’. The ARB asked Homemark for evidence for their claims, which Homemark was unable to supply and hence a ruling against Homemark followed.
Decision of the ADVERTISING REGULATORY BOARD
Advertiser – Homemark (Pty) Ltd Consumer/Competitor – Consumer File reference -3392 – Homemark Aragan Secret Nail Treatment Oil Outcome – Partial uphold Date – 6 September 2024
The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board has been called upon to consider two consumer complaints against a commercial … Read the rest
The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board has been called upon to consider a consumer complaint against a Homemark television commercial promoting the Remedy Health Detox Foot Pads.
In fact, Homemark has been marketing this scam product for years, and keep on re-advertising the same product using the same TV advert. Shame on Homemark, shame on DSTV Multichoice for accepting the advert in spite of previous ASA and ARB rulings.
The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board has been called upon to consider a consumer complaint against a Homemark television commercial promoting the Remedy Health Detox Foot Pads. The commercial was flighted on the Kynet Channel 144 on Dstv on the 2nd of February 2023.… Read the rest
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
Pinterest has banned all weight loss ads on its platform, as part of its policy not to support body shaming advertising.
It will no longer allow ads containing testimonials about losing weight, references to body mass indexes, or those that “idealise or denigrate” certain body types.
The company is the first major tech platform to prohibit weight loss ads.
Apparently the US National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) advised Pinterest on the policy change.
“NEDA is encouraged by this necessary step in prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of Pinners, especially those affected by diet culture, body shaming and eating disorders,” said Elizabeth Thompson, interim CEO for the association, in the release.
“We are hopeful this global policy will encourage other organisations and companies to reflect on potentially harmful
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
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