NEW DELHI: Continuing its crackdown on misleading advertisements, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has slapped a fine of Rs 1 million on a company selling an Ayurvedic product which it claims to be a “magic oil” that, when applied, will “make you healthy without surgery or physiotherapy”.
The CCPA, headed by Union Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, ordered the suspension of misleading advertisements for the product ‘Dhuandar Oil’ manufactured by India Distribution Network LLP Ltd. Officials said that during the course of investigation and hearing, the company has not been able to substantiate any of the claims.
“The decision to impose the fine and suspend the advertisement with immediate effect has been taken with a view to protecting and promoting consumer rights as a whole and to ensure that false or misleading advertisement of any product or service is not made in violation of the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act,” the official said.
Advertisements for the product were aired on the Arogya Rahesya show and on the company website associated with the product, in which it was described as the “World’s First Hot Stream Joint Pain Relief Oil” and “Just apply the oil and get instant relief from joint pain, stiffness and inflammation” and made several claims, including that the oil guarantees health without surgery or physiotherapy.
The company also claimed that the product was manufactured in accordance with government rules and regulations and that regular application would provide permanent pain relief. The company also claimed that it had no side effects and there was no similar product available anywhere in the world. “The advertisements carried a money-back guarantee and had people claiming to be doctors in white coats recommending the use of the oil to patients for pain relief,” the official said.
Before issuing the order, the CCPA sent the matter to the Director of Investigation, who noted that the company’s claims were exaggerated and misleading, without any supporting documentation, research papers or scientific studies. “In its response to the CCPA, the company claimed that athletes also use the product for health maintenance. However, during the investigation, the company did not provide any evidence to support the claims,” the source said.
The CCPA, headed by Union Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, ordered the suspension of misleading advertisements for the product ‘Dhuandar Oil’ manufactured by India Distribution Network LLP Ltd. Officials said that during the course of investigation and hearing, the company has not been able to substantiate any of the claims.
“The decision to impose the fine and suspend the advertisement with immediate effect has been taken with a view to protecting and promoting consumer rights as a whole and to ensure that false or misleading advertisement of any product or service is not made in violation of the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act,” the official said.
Advertisements for the product were aired on the Arogya Rahesya show and on the company website associated with the product, in which it was described as the “World’s First Hot Stream Joint Pain Relief Oil” and “Just apply the oil and get instant relief from joint pain, stiffness and inflammation” and made several claims, including that the oil guarantees health without surgery or physiotherapy.
The company also claimed that the product was manufactured in accordance with government rules and regulations and that regular application would provide permanent pain relief. The company also claimed that it had no side effects and there was no similar product available anywhere in the world. “The advertisements carried a money-back guarantee and had people claiming to be doctors in white coats recommending the use of the oil to patients for pain relief,” the official said.
Before issuing the order, the CCPA sent the matter to the Director of Investigation, who noted that the company’s claims were exaggerated and misleading, without any supporting documentation, research papers or scientific studies. “In its response to the CCPA, the company claimed that athletes also use the product for health maintenance. However, during the investigation, the company did not provide any evidence to support the claims,” the source said.
