*Lose those pounds with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin!

It's always a pleasure to bump into an old friend.

An old friend like GoodVitality Ltd, for example!

UPDATE, 6 Oct: The ASA say the advertisers have agreed to "remove the 'weight loss' claim and advertise on a platform-only basis".

(Image credit)

GoodVitality sell a number of bullshit products like the ones picture above, but this complaint concerns a homeopathic tincture which their advert claims can contribute to weight loss.

I don't dare look up where "Human chorionic gonadotropin" comes from - I just haven't got the balls.

What actually concerns me about this advert is that, in the UK, homeopathic products have to be registered.

I can't find any evidence that GoodVitality have registered theirs, though it's quite possible I'm wrong.

What I am certain about, is that homeopathy cannot cause "weight loss". ASA complaint follows!

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Nexus" magazine (August-September Issue, Vol 17 No 5, p3)

The advert, for GoodVitality Ltd, promotes a homeopathic tincture.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains the text:

"hCG Weight Loss - Human chorionic gonadotropin - As a Homeopathic tincture 50ml, 30c potency for just £15 - See our new You Tube video for some great ideas to help weight loss..."

2. I understand that the "homeopathic tincture" advertised is not a registered homeopathic product in the UK.

3. Therefore, under Section 50.19 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether:

(i) The advertised homeopathic medicinal product is registerd in the UK

(ii) The advert contains product information that is not confined to that which appears on the label (a picture of which I enclose [1])

(iii) The advert does not "include a warning to consult a doctor if symptoms persist"

(iv) The advert makes "medicinal or therapeutic claims" for an anauthorised product

4. Under Sections 3.1 and 51.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the homeopathic product can cause "weight loss".

5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser.

Footnotes:

[1] Source: http://www.goodvitality.com/hcg-human-chorionic-gonadotropin-tincture-50-ml-228-p.asp
"

*Goodvitality Ltd - much better value than Holland & Barretts!

GoodVitality Ltd's website is "the place to research and purchase alternative healthcare products"...

UPDATE, 3 Mar: ASA: "We have decided to pass your complaint about the Goodvitality Ltd ad to our Investigations team for assessment. They will be seeking substantiation for the comparative claim and the claim that the products can kill E-Coli."

UPDATE, 9 Apr: ASA: "...we have now received a response from Goodvitality. We have explained to them the level of evidence we would require to support the claims and they have agreed to withdraw their ad until such a time they are in a position to do that."


...but perhaps not the best place to find randomised, double-blinded trials - which has always been my understanding of the word "research".

GoodVitality offer some truly startling products - Homeopathic Toothpaste is my favourite - but my ASA complaint concerns their claims for "aura cleansers" and colloidal silver.

"I write to complain about an advert published in Nexus Magazine, Vol. 17, No. 2 (February-March 2010).

The advert, for Goodvitality Ltd, is entitled "Zappers".

I have submitted a scan of the advert. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

I believe the advert is in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code.

1. Nexus Magazine is published in the UK "under licence by Nexus Magazine (UK) Ltd". It is available in high street shops like WH Smiths.

2. The February-March 2010 issue (Vol. 17, No. 2, page 10) carried an advert entitled "Zappers".

3. The advert promoted three types products: "Zappers", an "Aura Cleanser", and "Colloidal Silver Products".

4. 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."

5. I challenge whether Goodvitality Ltd hold documentary evidence to prove the following claims:

(i) The Lee Crocks Aura Cleanser can cleanse auras;

(ii) Goodvitality's colloidal silver products can kill E-Coli;

(iii) Goodvitality's colloidal silver products are forty times more effective at killing E-Coli than products sold by Higher Nature or Holland and Barrett's.

6. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser, Higher Nature, Holland & Barrett's, Nexus Magazine, or with the publishing industry in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or Nexus Magazine.

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