ASCI Update: Complaints against 117 out of 154 ads upheld in May 2017

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), a self-regulatory body that propagates responsible advertising, has released a report of the complaints it received and upheld in the month of May 2017. The ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) received complaints against 154 ads; complaints against 117 ads were upheld.

Of these, 39 ads were from the healthcare category, followed by 33 ads from education category; eight ads each were from the personal care category and telecommunication sector, six in food and beverages category, five in e-commerce category and 18 ads were upheld in the others category.

Complaints against brands which were upheld in the healthcare segment for false, misleading, and unsubstantiated claims, and hence, violated the ASCI's code include Fit N Slim Fitness Centre, Fit N Fine Body Care Services (Fit N Fine), The Medinova Retreat (MediSpa), VSS Health and Wellness Center, VLCC Health Care (VLCC Center), Dr. Batra’s Positive Health Clinic (Dr. Batra’s Homeopathic Clinic), Complete Health Solutions (You Stay Fit), Mind Power Clinic, RJR Siddha Ayur Unani Hospital, Prem Hospital (IVF and Surrogacy Center), Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences, Care Point (Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, and Hair Weaving & Bonding Clinic), Chahal Clinic, Kashish Slimming Center, Fitness World, Vimhans PrimaMed Super Speciality Hospital, FMS Dental Hospital, Grover Eye Laser & E.N.T. Hospital (Grover Eye Laser Hospital), Navchetana Kendra, NuAyurveda Clinic, Lida Biotech (Lida Herbal Slimming Capsules), Medinn Belle Herbal (Endura Mass weight Gainer), Trophic Wellness (Nutricharge Woman), Sablok Clinic, Nidan Ayurveda India (Nidan Ayurveda India), Sameeksha Ayurveda Clinic (Sameeksha Clinic), Mankind Pharma (Heal O Kind Nanofine Gel), SBF Healthcare and Research Centre (SBF Healthcare), British Nutritions (D-Protin), Rajnish Hot Deals (Play-Win F-Capsule), DHI Global Medical Group, ReeAge, Hair Doc Hair Clinic (Hair Doc Trichology Hair Clinic), Dr. Adityan Skin and Hair Laser Centre, Oliva Advanced Hair and Skin Clinic, Pushpa Clinic (P), Athena Life Sciences (Hair for Sure) and Hair Doc Trichology Hair Clinic (Hair Doc Trichology Expert).

Education brands pulled up for violating ASCI guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions were Lovely Professional University, Indeed.com, ALS Satellite Education, IT Champs Software, British Fort Foundation, Motion Education (Rao Classes), Vijayam Educational Institutions (Vijayam Coaching Centre), ICAII, Subhas Bose Institute of Hotel Management, Ramappa Academy Police, Rankers Educare, Resonance Eduventures, Base Education Services - Base Education, Roorkee College of Pharmacy, Akhil Bharat Siksha Kendra Computer, Chitkara University, SICE Institute Shivaji, St. Bonnie White College of Nursing, Medical Super 50, First Guide Academy and ICON Education Career.

Complaints against advertisements of all educational institutes listed below mostly were upheld because of unsubstantiated claims that they ‘provide 100 per cent placement/AND/OR they claim to be the No.1 in their respective fields’:

Picasso International Animation College, V Rahul Coaching, Institute of Rural Management, Cokonet Technologies, V. Institute of Internet Marketing, Subhas Bose Institute of Hotel Management, Expert Institute of Advance Technology , Career Point, Anil Nair Classes, Industrial Training Department - Dept of Industrial Train (Ker)-OT, Yaduvanshi Shiksha Niketan and Birsa Inst of Tech (Trust) - BITT Polytechnic.

The food and beverage brands that have come under the ASCI scanner for violation of advertising guidelines include Aqua Pure Life water purifiers, Organic India (Tulsi Green Tea), Narang Group (Ocean Fruit Wave), Modi Naturals (Oleev Active), Modi Naturals (Oleev Smart) and Modi Naturals (Oleev Health).

The personal care brands that have come under the ASCI scanner for violation of advertising guidelines include OJB Herbals (Oshea Sun Block SPF 40), SBS Biotech Ayurvedic Division (Roop Mantra Skin Care Products), Win - Medicare (Mederma Intense Gel), Lotus Herbals (Lotus Whiteglow Range of Products), Ratan Ayurvedic Santhan (Herbal Facia Facial Bar) and (Ratan Beuton Herbal Kala Shampoo), Zee Laboratories (My Fair Cream) and Emami (Fair and Handsome Fairness Cream).

The telecommunication brands that have come under the ASCI scanner for violation of advertising guidelines include Reliance Jio Infocomm (3 months un at Rs.309/-) and (Reliance Jio), Reliance Communications, Bharti Airtel (Airtel 29 INR for 1 month), (Airtel Rs 348 and Rs 299 Un plan) and (Airtel Broadband), Idea Cellular and ACT Fibre.

The e-commerce brands that have come under the ASCI scanner for violation of advertising guidelines include BusinessEx.com, Amazon Seller Services (Amazon.com), Amazon.com (American style cream and onion flavor - party pack) and (Redmi 3S/ 3S Prime).

Other brands which were pulled up for objectionable ads due to false and/or misleading claims include Aerobok Shoes (Aqualite), Asian Paints (Asian Paints Royale Atmos), HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company (HDFC life Cancer care), LG Electronics India (LG Dual Cool Air Conditioners), Grey Matters, Metro Shoes (Davinchi Cooling & Energising Socks), Metro Shoes (Davinchi Aloe Vera Health Socks), Aryamaan Developers (Crystal Xrbia), Prameya News7 (News 7 Odisha), GM Global Technies Tower (GM Infinite Towers), Arogya Retail, Mankind Pharma (Manforce Condoms), TV Today (Aaj Tak) Network, Balaji Telefilms (ALTBalaji), Kalyan Jewellers, Polycab Wires (Polycab Cables & Wires) and Xiaomi Technology India (Xiaomi Redmi 4A and Redmi Note 4), LG Electronics India (LG Air Conditioner).