According to AIOCD, the advertisement is “misleading” and also contradicts “widely accepted health benefits of vegetarianism”.
“The content implies that vegetarian individuals are at risk of vitamin deficiency, suggesting that your product can prevent this,” the AIOCD has said in its letter to Rajiv Juneja, managing director of Mankind Pharma, the makers of HealthOk.
The campaign says that every one in 3 Indians are vegetarian and vegetarians are prone to vitamin deficiency.
The AIOCD further goes on to say that given the prominence of vegetarianism in India, supported by the Prime Minister and many chief ministers in India, the advertisement fosters an “inaccurate” and “potentially harmful narrative”, the letter dated February 12 said.
“Such misleading advertisements backed by celebrities can have severe consequences,” it said.The chemists’ body has urged the MD to withdraw the advertisement “promptly” to avoid “legal implications” under the Consumer Protection Act 1986 and Sales of Goods Act 1930.” The campaign on HealthOK multivitamin says the tablets can fulfil nutritional deficiencies and provide an added benefit of staying energetic due to Taurine and Ginseng.”How can they advertise anything for their benefit? This is sheer misleading…,” said Rajiv Singhal, general secretary, AIOCD.
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