Advertising watchdog flags 60 supplement ads for unsubstantiated health claims

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has found that 60 advertisements for dietary supplements reviewed between July and September violated advertising codes. The flagged campaigns included promises of rapid weight loss, skin rejuvenation, and organ detoxification, none of which were backed by verified clinical evidence for the final product formulations.

In its report titled "A Pill for Thought," the ASCI noted that companies frequently cited studies on individual ingredients to justify broader health claims about their finished products. When challenged, none of the 31 companies that formally contested the findings could provide product-specific substantiation. Another 29 brands opted to withdraw or modify their ads rather than provide evidence.

While the ASCI is a non-profit body with no direct power to impose fines, it serves as a referral mechanism for statutory regulators such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA). Under current regulations, these state bodies have the authority to order the removal of misleading advertisements and impose significant financial penalties on manufacturers, though it remains unclear if these specific cases will face further legal action.