Tag: advertising
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Humane Society Alleges Deceptive Marketing of Pork in FTC Complaint
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has reportedly filed a legal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleging that the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) “is engaging in deceptive advertising related to animal well-being in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act,” according to an April 18, 2012, press release. In particular,…
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ASA UK Chides Budweiser for Linking Beer to Sexual Success
The U.K. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint alleging that a radio advertisement for Budweiser® beer violated rule 19.6 of the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice code by linking the consumption of alcohol to sexual success. According to ASA, the ad produced by AB InBev UK Ltd. featured a male speaker modeled after…
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California Court Nixes Effort to Stop McDonald’s from Selling Happy Meals with Toys
A California superior court has dismissed with prejudice putative class claims filed against McDonald’s Corp. seeking to enjoin the company from advertising Happy Meals® to children featuring toys. Parham v. McDonald’s Corp., No. 10-506178 (Cal. Super. Ct., San Francisco Cty., decided April 4, 2012). Additional information about the case appears in Issues 375, 391 and…
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Irish Broadcasting Authority to Regulate Food Advertising
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has announced a public consultation regarding draft commercial codes that would prohibit the advertising of foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) during TV programs where more than 50 percent of viewers are younger than age 18. According to a March 30, 2012, BAI press release, the consultation…
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Product with Stevia Targeted in “All Natural” False Advertising Lawsuit
A California resident has filed a putative class action in federal court against the Jamba Juice Co., alleging that it falsely advertises its fruit smoothie kits as “All Natural,” when they actually contain “unnaturally processed, synthetic and/or non-natural ingredients,” such as ascorbic acid, citric acid, xanthan gum, and steviol glycosides. Anderson v. Jamba Juice Co.,…
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Scottish Health Minister Urges Pre-Watershed Ban on Junk Food Advertising
Scottish Health Minister Michael Matheson has reportedly written to U.K. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, urging him to support a ban on all TV advertising for foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) before the 9 p.m. watershed. According to media sources, Matheson cited OfCom studies allegedly indicating that, while children’s broadcasting adheres to strict…
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Greenwashing Foes Tackle Food and Fitness Marketing with Health Claims
A marketing company that bills itself as a “champion of authentic green marketing” and crusades against product “greenwashing” claims has launched a new website on which the health-related claims of food and fitness products can be rated. EnviroMedia Social Marketing created the online tool to expose “exaggerated or misleading health claims through advertising, marketing or…
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Series of Celebrity Tweets Ending with Tweet About Candy Not in Violation of UK Ad Code
The U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has determined that a series of tweets from Rio Ferdinand and Katie Price that culminated in messages specifically referencing and showing a photo of these personalities with Snickers® bars did not violate the U.K. Code of Non-broadcast Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (Code). The initial tweets did not…