Patanjali Ayurved Limited - Patanjali

Recommendation: Upheld | Medium: Industry Member

The ASCI had approached the advertiser for its response in addressing the grievances of the complainant and forwarded the details of the complaint, verbatim, to the advertiser with a request to respond to the same. The advertiser was offered an option to seek an Informal Resolution (IR) of the complaint by modifying or withdrawing the claims in the advertisement, or alternately to substantiate the claims with supporting data. The advertiser was also offered an opportunity for a telecon with the ASCI Secretariat, which they did not avail and neither did they submit their written response. The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) viewed the Website advertisement (https://www.patanjaliayurved.net/product/natural-food-products/biscuits-and-cookies/patanjali-nariyal-biscuits/3762)and considered the complaint. The CCC observed that no response was received from the advertiser prior to the prescribed due date as specified by the ASCI Secretariat. Upon careful consideration of the complaint and in the absence of a response from the advertiser, the CCC concluded that the claims, “When given to children, it helps retain water content in their bodies and supplements with nutritious elements”, “Help against constipation and stomach diseases”, and “Rich in vitamin A and stops bone decay in old age”, were not substantiated with clinical evidence of product efficacy. The claims are misleading by exaggeration and are likely to lead to widespread disappointment in the minds of consumers. The said claims contravened Chapter I, Clauses 1.1, 1.4, and 1.5 of the ASCI Code, and ASCI Guidelines on Advertising of Foods & Beverages. This complaint was UPHELD.