*Balance Crystals - we charge them, then we charge you!

Compiling this blog is terribly tiresome, you know.

UPDATE, 16 Apr: About the three products in the "advertorial", the ASA report "We have now passed these issues to our Compliance team, as the claims being made appear to be in clear breach of previous adjudications published by the ASA".

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So it's quite a relief when magazines like Soul and Spirit put lots of bullshit adverts together in a single "advertorial". No problems with four of the products, but the ASA ought to know about the remaining three.

(The pages referenced in the complaint are available here, here and here.)

"I write to complain about three adverts in a feature marked as an "advertorial" in "Soul & Spirit" magazine (April 2010, page 70-71).

I suspect that the advertorial is in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code.

I have submitted scans of the adverts. I can provide an original copy of the adverts by post, if required.

"STRENGTHEN YOUR AURA" (pyramiddevie.com)

1. The CAP Code, Section 7.1, states "No marketing communication should mislead, or be likely to mislead, by inaccuracy, ambiguity, exaggeration, omission or otherwise."

2. Further to my complaint of 11th March, also concerning the "Pyramid de Vie", I challenge whether the before and after "aura photos" featured in the "Soul & Spirit" advert are likely to mislead consumers into believing that the Pyramid de Vie has scientifically-detectable physical effects on the body.

3. A separate advert for the "Pyramid de Vie" appears on page 96 of "Soul & Spirit" magazine.

4. Under Section 14.1, I challenge whether the advertiser holds signed and dated proof, including a contact address, for the testimonials used on page 96.

"CRYSTAL HEALING" (balancecrystals.com)

5. The CAP Code, Section 3.1, states "Before distributing or submitting a marketing communication for publication, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation."

6. The CAP Code, Section 50.1, states "Medical and scientific claims made about beauty and health-related products should be backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people..."

7. I challenge whether the advertiser holds documentary evidence to prove any of the following claims, and I challenge whether the claims are backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people:

(i) "Using a Crystal Kit" can "alleviate [the] symptoms" of tiredness, depression or suffering from pain and illness

(ii) The Crystal Kit gives the best chance of recovery from disease

(iii) The Crystal Kit may help with "back pain, low confidence, depression, detox, fertility, energy, hayfever, headache, IBS, meditation, psychic development, relaxation, relationships, stress and many more"

(iv) The Crystal Kit has been charged ready for use

(v) The Company are capable of custom-making a Crystal Kit for particular [medical] problems

"DON'T GO SKULKING AROUND" (unknown company)

8. I challenge whether the advertiser holds documentary evidence to prove the following claim, and I challenge whether the claim is backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people:

(i) Crystal Skulls can intensify your clairvoyant and clairaudient abilities

9. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser, with the magazine, or with the publishing and alternative medicine industries in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine.

10. I confirm that I am happy to be identified as the complainant."

*Kindred Spirit Magazine - Mail-Order Woo

In common with many of the specialist "spiritual" magazines, Kindred Spirit devotes several pages to promote its online mail-order service.

UPDATE, 23 Jun: The ASA have adjudicated on my complaint, and upheld it in full.

UPDATE, 29 Apr: ASA report some of the ads have been passed to their compliance team; namely, the electromagnetic "harmonisers", the "Pyramid de Vie", the "Script Symbol Reiki Necklace", and the "Detox" foot patches (claims of expelling toxins and improving circulation only).

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Of the forty-nine items on offer this month, I reckon at least nine of them breach the ASA's code of practice. (Scans of the relevant pages are available here, here, here and here.)

"I write to complain about an eight-page advertising feature in “Kindred Spirit” magazine (March/April 2010, pages 50-57), which promotes the magazine's online mail-order service, www.kindredspirit.co.uk

I refer here only to the contents of the advert, not to the website. I suspect that the advert makes multiple breaches of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code.

I confirm that I have no connections to the advertiser or the magazine, and am not involved in legal proceedings with either of them. I confirm that I am happy to be identified as the complainant.

I enclose scans of the relevant pages.

Under sections 3.1 and 50.1 of the code, I challenge whether www.kindredspirit.co.uk hold documentary evidence to prove any of the following claims, and I challenge whether the claims are backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people:

Item 1: Electromagnetic Harmonisers for computer or mobile phone

(1) The direct claim that the disc “naturally harmonises emissions from electronics [devices]"

(2) The implied claim that the disc has health benefits for users of electronic devices

Item 15: “Pyramid de Vie”

(4) The claim that the pendant “releases [i.e. reduces] pain, enhances body bio fields [sic]” and “keeps you rejuvenated”

(5) The claim that the pendant contains minerals which are “energy-giving”

Item 16: "Detox Foot Patches"

(6) The claim that by using the patches, "overnight toxins are expelled"

Item 17: "Warm Detox Foot Patches"

(7) The implied claim that the patches are beneficial for people with poor circulation

(8) The direct claim the patches "help soothe aches and pains"

Item 18: "Aqua-Vortex"

(9) The claim that the device can "re-energise water and drinks...by replicating effects found in nature"

Item 19: "Hopi Ear Candles"

(10) The direct claim that Hopi Ear Candles are in any way related to the Hopi (Navajo) tribe of Nevada, USA

(11) The claim that the candles are "helpful for earache and headache, ear noise, stress" and are beneficial for "nasal breathing" and the "sense of smell"

Item 20: "Vega Whole Food Meal Replacement"

(12) Since the manufacturer's website disagrees, the direct claim that a serving contains 24 calories

(13) The implied claim that a typical consumer, who requires 2000-3000 calories a day, can get a "complete meal" from one 24 (or, indeed, 240) calorie serving

(14) The direct claim that a 24 (or, indeed, 240) calorie serving is an "excellent choice for those on a calorie-reduced diet"

Item 21: "Trayner Pinhole Glasses"

(15) The claim that the glasses "improve your eyesight and [help you] learn to see better without glasses", and that "15 minutes will train your eyes and relieve eye strain"

Item 27: "Script Symbol Reiki Necklace"

(16) The claim that the necklace can "promote health and balance"