ASCI Update: Complaints against 151 out of 199 ads upheld in September 2016

75 ads were from education category, followed by 39 ads from healthcare category.

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 September 2016. The ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) received complaints against 199 ads; complaints against 151 ads were upheld.

Of these, 75 advertisements were from the education category, followed by 39 ads in the healthcare category; 10 ads were from the food and beverages category and 8 ads from the personal care category. 19 ads were upheld in the others category.

Education brands pulled up for violating ASCI guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions were Pratap University, ITM University, Sujas, Aptech (Arena Animation), FIIT JEE, Naval Career, Luthfaa Foundation Luthfaa Polytechnic Institute, Allen Career Institute and National Academy of Event Management & Development.

Complaints against brands which were upheld in the healthcare segment for false, misleading, and unsubstantiated claims, and hence, violated the ASCI's code include Cosmic Grace, Thosh (ThoshIon Shower), Nanophyto Pharmacy (UR Halt), Kudos Laboratories India, Fizikem Formulations (Madhucure Diabetic Juice), Tara Nutricare (Tara Magik Mass), Shakti Sudha Agro Ventures (Shakti Sudha Makhana), Kerni Fitness (Fitness Universe Animal Effect), Ayurwin Pharma (Nutri Slim powder/Capsule), AVS Herbals (Energic-31Capsules), Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan (Baidyanath Madhumenhari), Cadila Healthcare Ltd. (Nutralite), Manav Care Chikitsalay, Sri Nageshwar Ortho & Trauma Centre, Srigiri Ayurvedic Hospital and Oxymed Hospital for three of its different ads.

The other brands which were upheld in the healthcare segment include Puressenz (LupTup Herbal Concentrate), Dr Shah's Super Speciality Clinic, Signature Skin, Dr G Wellness (Arthritplus), Shree Baidyanath Ayur Bhawan (Baidyanath Vita-EX Gold Women), Goyal Ayurved and Herbals (Goyal Ayurved and Herbals Range of Products), Nidan Ayurveda India, The Fitness Zone, Dr. A. K. Jain, Zimalaya Drug (Slr Four Power Booster Capsules), Perfect Point (Cool sculpting treatment), Curves & Smile, Sex Clinic (Sex Clinic Range of Products), Good Care Pharma Products (Neem Guard and Stress Guard), Sai Hospital, Lifespan Clinic India (Lifespan Diabetes Clinics), Care & Cure Herbals (X men Plus), Deemark Health Care (Love Forever VT), Lifezen Health Care (Eye Spa), Trim-O-Fast Herbal Slimming Kit and Standard Laboratories (Navab- E-Navab).

The food and beverage brands that have come under the ASCI scanner for violation of advertising guidelines include Buzz Live Foods (Pelicana DD Drinker's Drive), M.K Agrotech (Sunpure Sunflower Oil), Bhagat Marketing Corporation (Amrut Dana Dal), Grofers (Dunkin' Donuts), Inbisco India (Kopiko Cappuccino), Kaleesuwari Refinery (Cardia Life Oil), Emami Agrotech (Emami Healthy & Tasty Sunflower Oil), Emami Agrotech (Emami Healthy & Tasty Soyabean Oil), Emami Agrotech (Emami Healthy & Tasty Refined Rice Brand Oil) and United Breweries (Heineken).

J.K. Helene Curtis Limited (Park Avenue Acti-Cool Deodorant), VLCC Personal Care (VLCC Slimmer's range of products), Johnson & Johnson (Clean & Clear Foaming face wash), Clarins (Clarins White Plus), Sairaa Hair Gel, Lotus Herbals (Lotus Safe Sun Whitening Plus), Nature's Essence ( Nature's Lacto Tan Clear) and Aswini Homeopathy & Ayurvedic Products (Aswini Hair Oil) were the brands that were pulled up from the Personal Care category for violating ASCI guidelines.