A consumer court in Delhi has ruled that Emami Limited, the makers of "Fair & Handsome" men's skin cream, must withdraw their misleading advertisements and pay a substantial fine of Rs 15 lakh. The court found that the product's packaging and advertising falsely promised customers visibly lighter skin within three weeks, leading to a misleading impression. The company has also been directed to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation to the complainant and another Rs 10,000 to cover the cost of litigation.
Emami's "Fair & Handsome": False Advertising Strikes in Consumer Court
Background
Emami Limited, a renowned Indian skincare and personal care company, launched its "Fair & Handsome" men's skin cream with the promise of visibly fairer skin within three weeks. This promise was emblazoned on the product's packaging and in its advertising campaigns.
Consumer Court Ruling
In a landmark decision, a consumer court in Delhi ruled that Emami's Fair & Handsome advertisements were misleading and violated the Consumer Protection Act. The court found that the product's packaging and advertising created a false impression that customers could achieve significantly lighter skin in a short period.
The court ordered Emami to:
Impact on Emami
The consumer court's ruling is a significant setback for Emami. The company's Fair & Handsome brand has been a major revenue generator, contributing to a substantial portion of its profits. The fine and the withdrawal of misleading advertisements are likely to impact Emami's financial performance.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why did the consumer court rule against Emami?
The court ruled that Emami's advertising created a false impression that customers could achieve visibly lighter skin within three weeks, even though the product's ingredients did not have any proven skin-lightening properties.
2. What happens if I have used Fair & Handsome cream?
According to the consumer court's ruling, the product does not contain any ingredients that can significantly lighten skin. Therefore, if you have used Fair & Handsome cream, you are unlikely to notice any significant change in your skin tone.
3. Can I get a refund for Fair & Handsome products?
The consumer court's ruling does not provide any specific instructions regarding refunds. However, you can contact Emami customer service to inquire about refund options.
4. Has Emami made any changes to Fair & Handsome advertising and packaging?
Emami has been ordered to withdraw all misleading advertisements within two weeks. It is unclear at this time whether the company will make any changes to its product packaging.
5. What other false advertising cases have been brought against Emami?
This is not the first time Emami has faced allegations of false advertising. In the past, the company has been accused of making misleading claims about its Navratna Cool Talc and Boroplus Antiseptic Cream.
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