Patanjali Ayurved, an Indian consumer goods company, was found guilty of making false and misleading claims in its advertisements for various products by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) in recent news. The ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council received 156 complaints in March 2016, out of which 90 were upheld as false and misleading. The complaints were from various categories such as education, healthcare, personal care, and food and beverages.
The claims made by Patanjali for its products Patanjali ‘Kesh Kanti’ Natural Hair Cleanser and Oil were found to be misleading, specifically the claim that mineral oil is carcinogenic and may cause cancer. The claims made for Patanjali ‘Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil’ were also found to be unsubstantiated, including the assertion that other edible refined oils and mustard oils are made using the neurotoxin Hexagon solvent extraction process.
The ASCI found that Patanjali's statement unfairly denigrates other oils and mustard oil and that the claim about the use of cheap palm oil in mustard oil was misleading. The advertising watchdog also upheld a complaint against Patanjali's Patanjali Herbal Washing Powder, Cake, and Dishwash Bar.
Due to this renowned case of misconduct, Johnson & Johnson's also came under the radar where an advertisement for Benadryl DR was also scrutinized, with the ASCI ruling that the claim "stops dry cough from reoccurring" was an absolute claim that was not substantiated, and therefore misleading.
ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council acts as a watchdog, ensuring that companies maintain ethical standards in their advertising. This highlighted the need for companies to be cautious when making claims in their advertisements to avoid being accused of false or misleading advertising.
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