ASA - Advertising Standards Authority

The following decisions have been released:

Complaint 20/098 Meredith McCarthy, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/099 Happy Valley, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/130 3M, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/142 Outbrain, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/158 Best Bones Broth, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/165 Reckitt Benckiser, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/167 Ooooby, Addressed Mail, Settled
Complaint 20/168 Sanofi- Aventis New Zealand, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/172 Bunnings Warehouse, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/174 Spin Palace, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/178 New Zealand Seniors, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/100 Honeylab, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/111 Bay Health Clinic, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/137 Simillimum Homeopathic Dispensary, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/163 2degrees, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/164 2degrees, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/170 Foodstuffs NZ, Pak N Save, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/173 Brand Developers, IWalk, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/179 Subway, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/097 Manaaki, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/124 Nutrient Rescue, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/126 Vapourium, Stratus, Print, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/129 Foodstuffs South Island, New World, Instore, Settled
Complaint 20/131 BioMedz, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/132 World Animal Protection, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/133 One Choice, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/138 Puriti Honey, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/145 Parkers Beverage Company, Deco City, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/151 Absolute Essential, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/157 Nudi Point, Digital Marketing, Settled
Complaint 20/161 Reckitt Benckiser NZ, Strepsils, Television, No Grounds to Proceed
Complaint 20/077 Appeal 20/006 Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand, Digital Marketing, Appeal Declined
Complaint 20/078 Appeal 20/007 Restaurant Brands NZ, KFC, Digital Marketing, Appeal Declined
Complaint 20/085 Appeal 20/005 Burgerfuel, Digital Marketing, Appeal Declined

COVID-19 claims in sanitiser ad amended

The website advertisement for Absolute Essential’s 1-2-3 Sanitising Bundle said in part: “Whether you are a full household or self-isolating by yourself, we have created 3 x Sanitising and Immune Support Packs to purify your hands and home and boost your immunity over this period – giving ourselves the best opportunity to come out on the other side fit, strong and healthy.”

The Complainant was concerned the advertisement contained claims that couldn’t be proven regarding the effectiveness of the products during the COVID-19 epidemic.

The Chair acknowledged the Advertiser’s prompt self-regulatory action in amending the advertisement once advised of the complaint. Given the Advertiser’s co-operative engagement, the Chair ruled the complaint was settled.

Advertisement claiming organic food fights COVID-19 settled

The Ooooby email advertisement quoted a developmental biologist, Dr Bruce Lipton, who discussed COVID-19 and included the claims; “the most dangerous part of COVID-19 is fear” and that organic food can fight COVID-19.

The Complainant was concerned Ooooby was using false claims and referencing COVID-19 in order to promote organic food products.

The Chair noted the Advertiser’s engagement with the process and self-regulatory action by committing not to use the claims in future advertising, and ruled the complaint was settled.