Natural Products NZ Lays Complaint With ASA

MEDIA RELEASE
2 May 2007

Natural Products NZ Lays Complaint With ASA Over False Claims

Natural Products New Zealand (NPNZ), the industry body representing a significant proportion of New Zealand natural health product manufacturers and marketers, has laid a formal complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) regarding an advertisement appearing in 26 April’s New Zealand Herald.

The advertisement, headed “NZ Govt Moves to Outlaw Vitamins”, placed by a group calling themselves Health Freedom (NZ)) is misleading and deceptive and specifically breaches the Advertising Code of Ethics on no less than nine counts, according to NPNZ executive director, Michelle Beckett.

“NPNZ is concerned about the amount of misinformation and scaremongering that has been circulating in a bid to stop the bill being introduced.

“This advertisement makes ridiculous, unsubstantiated claims that are designed to mislead the public and create fear in the minds of those who currently use vitamin supplements.

Most of the statements are untrue and in many cases, there is no evidence to support their claims,” says Ms Beckett.

Note:
Natural Products New Zealand (NPNZ) represents a substantial portion of the Natural Products industry. Based on a survey of wholesale and retail sales information, export data and industry surveys, NPNZ’s members make up the overwhelming majority of the natural products industry in terms of product lines, turnover, employment and exports. For further information about NPNZ visit www.naturalproductsnz.org

ENDS

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