The Central government is likely to start regulating misleading advertisements of food products that make tall claims without any scientific data to back up. Assertions like, a particular drink will make children grow taller or their memory power will get enhanced if they eat a product will be regulated.
“The Centre is introducing legislation on Food Safety and Standards to curb such claims made without scientific basis. Such claims should always be evidence-based and we are expecting the Central government to act soon,” said Director, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), B. Sesikeran here on Tuesday.
While interacting with press persons, the NIN Director minced no words on the present day eating habits and lack of physical activity among Indians. “People come to me and say that their forefathers have eaten everything, but they lived till 80 or 90 years. The point nobody understands is that unlike the earlier generation, today public hardly take up physical activity,” Dr. Sesikeran said.
The Expert’s Thought: False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising.If you’re not going to advertise a product correctly, there’s bound to be some consumer backlash. Tough regulation is indeed important.
