The Indian government said Wednesday that served with ultimatums by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), 13 companies withdrew misleading advertisements, while three agreed to correct the ads.

The junior Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, in a written reply to a question from a fellow parliamentarian in Lok Sabha (Lower House) also said that CCPA has imposed penalties on three companies for their misleading advertisements.

According to the Minister, the CCPA recently issued two safety notices to caution consumers against buying household goods, which do not conform to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

An advisory has been issued to industry associations, highlighting the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, and to impress upon their members to cease from making false claims about effectiveness against Coronavirus, Chauhan added; especially claims that are not supported by competent and authorized scientific advice.

Under the provisions of Consumer Protection Act, 2019, CCPA was established in 2020 to regulate matters relating to false or misleading advertisements, which are prejudicial to the interests of public and consumers. The CCPA can issue directions to the trader or manufacturer or endorser or advertiser or publisher concerned, as the case may be, to discontinue such misleading advertisement or to modify the same.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 also provides for imposition of penalty by the CCPA on a manufacturer or endorser or publisher, and imprisonment and penalty by a competent court on any manufacturer or service provider found responsible for a false or misleading advertisement.

All advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels are required to adhere to the Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994. Appropriate action is taken in cases where Advertising Code is found to be violated.

Section 23 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 describes responsibility of Food Business Operators in respect of packaging and labelling of food products, while Section 24 places restrictions on misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices.