Kindred Spirit (part n) - protection against SARS

Kindred Spirit is a terribly tiresome magazine, the bullshit-laden contents of which is slowly eating away at my will to live.

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Here's yet another complaint about the loathsame claims to be found in its pages.

By far the most irresponsible one is the colloidal silver product, pictured above, which is claimed to "provide a degree of protection against modern viruses such as SARS [and] Bird Flu".

Another KS-inspired ASA complaint follows, and it won't be the last one today! (The adverts can be viewed here and here.)

"I write to complain about an advert which appeared in "Kindred Spirit" magazine, Summer 2010 issue, p68-69. The advert promotes a number of products.

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

This complaint is not related to other complaints I have submitted recently about Kindred Spirit magazine.

I draw your attention to paragraph (7)(i), in which I complain of a product promoted as protective against SARS and Bird Flu.

Item 1: "Bee Prepared"

1. (i) "Bee Prepared" is a food supplement whose primary ingredient is apparently "Bee propolis".

(ii) Propolis is a natural resin produced in beehives. Its composition varies greatly depending on location, climate and species of bee, so the results of the few available clinical studies are not necessarily applicable to all propolis products.

(iii) Some clinical studies on propolis are available. I have been unable to find any studies demonstrating that propolis can "boost the immune system and ward off summer colds and flu".

(iv) I cannot find any product-specific studies. I cannot find any information about what variety of propolis the product contains.

2. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantitate the following claims:

(i) Bee Propolis can "boost the immune system and ward off summer colds and flu"
(ii) Bee Propolis is a "highly effective antiviral" when "taken at the first sign of illness", and can "help kick start the immune system to prevent infection and build up the body's resistance to germs"
(iii) The implication that Bee Propolis has "anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help maintain a healthy immune system"

Item 2: "Celgenics - vibrationally charged skincare"

3. The "Celgenics skincare range" is a set of moisturisers and related products.

4. Under Section 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate the following claims:

(i) The products are a "great success" with people who cannot use other moisturisers
(ii) The "natural vibrational energy" the products contain have "proved to be very successful"

Item 3: "Colloidal silver"

5. The ASA has on several occasions advised against adverts promoting colloidal silver.

6. Under Section 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate the following claim:

(i) The product has the claimed anti-microbial properties, which act "as the first line of defence against infection, relieving the immune system to do what it does best"

7. (i) The advert contains the statement "We theorise that trace silver could provide a degree of protection against modern viruses such as SARS, Bird Flu and others as well".

(ii) Under Section 6.1, I challenge whether the wording of this statement is likely to "exploit the credulity, lack of knowledge or inexperience of consumers".

(iii) I further challenge whether this statement is in breach of Sections 50.11 and 50.13.

Item 4: "Weleda Rosemary Hair Lotion"

8. I have been unable to find any studies demonstrating that the product, or rosemary extracts in general, can cure dandruff or stimulate the circulation.

9. Under Section 3.1, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate the following claims::

(i) The product is a remedy for dandruff
(ii) The product stimulates circulation

Item 5: "Incognito spray"

10. The product is a mosquito repellant whose active ingredient is "eucalyptus maculata citriodora".

11. A 2007 study published in the BMJ demonstrates that the ingredient is effective in reducing malaria, especially when used in conjunction with treated mosquito nets [1].

12. My complaint is that, although eucalyptus maculata citriodora is of proven effectiveness, the advert misleadingly states it is the product itself which is "clinically proven to protect against malaria". Under Section 3.1, I challenge whether the advertisers hold product-specific evidence to substantiate that claim.

13. (i) The advert contains the text "It will keep away all mosquitoes and other insects".

(ii) The above quoted study demonstrates that the incidence of malaria was reduced, not eliminated, with the use of a repellant. Under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the statement "It will keep away all mosquitoes..." misleadingly exaggerates the effectiveness of the active ingredient.

(iii) The study states "we consider [the ingredient's] potential use against other insect-borne diseases should be investigated".

(iv) Under Section 3.1, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate their claim that the product will "keep away...other insects" (i.e., insects other than mosquitoes)

14. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser.

Footnotes:
[1] http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.39356.574641.55
"

Advanced Colloidals - 'flu season' products in stock!

You've probably noticed how many homeopaths have difficulty spelling "homeopathy". Well, the disease isn't limited to one brand of woo salesmen.

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Take this lot, for example, who entertainingly offer colloidal silver for "vetinerian" purposes.

The ASA have advised against these kinds of claims before, so in the case of this advert (top-left corner, "COLLOIDAL SILVER"), 'Advanced Colloidals' don't stand a chance.

"I write to complain about an advert in "Nexus" magazine (April-May 2010, Vol 17, No 3, p77, top-left corner).

The advert, entitled "COLLOIDAL SILVER - High Potency" promotes colloidal silver.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of two 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 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."

2. 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..."

3. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, 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) The advertiser's colloidal silver has "high potency"
(ii) Colloidal silver is a "universal antimicrobial[sic]" which can "protect" you
(iii) Colloidal silver is effective as a defence against flu

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

*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."