Pink Patch slimming ad banned on Facebook

ASA rules ad is irresponsible

Pink Patch slimming ad banned on Facebook. Software, Online, Facebook, ASA 0

31 July 2008 11:23 GMT / By Katie Scott

The team behind Facebook are having a pretty tough time of it at the moment.

First there was outrage at one of the SuperPoke applications, then Facebookers in the US and Canada had to watch as their beloved Scrabulous was removed, and now the social networking website has come under fire for one of its ads.

The advert in question is for a slimming patch called Pink Patch, which claims to be able to help you lose a stone (6.35kg) in 2 weeks.

The Advertising Standards Agency has now banned the ad from Facebook after branding it "irresponsible" and claiming it promotes "bad medical practice".

The ASA said there was no evidence that the herbal ingredients in the patch caused any loss of weight.

The ASA judgement said: "The evidence did not persuade us that wearing the Pink Patch would result in a loss of body fat and we concluded that the claim 'drop a stone in two weeks' was unsubstantiated and could mislead".

ASA spokeswoman Olivia Campbell added to the BBC: "The ad was irresponsible for promoting bad medical practice of losing a stone in two weeks and failed to provide persuasive scientific evidence to substantiate its claims".

The company behind the advert, CYC Marketing, is not commenting.

Related
Full tags
Software, Online, Facebook, ASA
UK Shopping
Amazon.co.uk, play.com, pixmania.co.uk, Currys.co.uk, Dixons.co.uk, 7dayshop.com, ebay.co.uk
US Shopping
Amazon.com, bestbuy.com, ebay.com

share Subscribe to RSS feeds email story save story print story pdf

Comments

  • Hate to break the news, but the pink patch ad is still there
    I googled it when i was it 5mns ago on my facebook- on August 5th and came across your article- I was about to find out more and buy it. It should really be banned if it is not what it says it is. Thanks

    ????????????????
    "The Advertising Standards Agency has now banned the ad from Facebook after branding it "irresponsible" and claiming it promotes "bad medical practice"
    Posted by Latifa, Englang
  • I've just found this article the same way. I saw the ad twice on Facebook today (well two versions)

    It's the 7th of August.
    Posted by Daisy, UK
  • Pink Patch are a terrible company to deal with, I have had to get the Trading Standards involved as they sent me patches after I had cancelled them and refused to give me a refund as they say that I should have sent an email to cancel as opposed to a letter???? they keep stating that they do no refund postage charges and that it is on their website, but you have look and you will see know where on their site that states this - only for the free sample. I have now got a claim against them and Trading Standards are helping me. They also don't comply to the DSA (Distance Selling Act 2000) in fact they don't comply to quite a few of their Terms, hopefully this company will do down! Any body that has bought the Pink Patch that wishes to return, or has returned, please make sure that you get a receipt and then take it further to get your money back plus interest, because that is what I am doing, so far so good! Posted by Helen, UK
  • The ad is still there now - 11th August.
    Huge banner bigger than the one before!!
    Posted by Amanda, UK
  • Just seen ad for pink patch on my msn page. Was ready to order when I discovered this article. Thanks for saving me money x (20th October) Posted by Leighanne Collins, Scotland
  • I got the pink patch free sample a fews weeks later i was sent a months supply and charged £40 .I rang the company and they said that was part of the terms and conditions . I didn send them back though as i was afraid i wouldn get a refund so i thought i would try them out when i have my baby in two weeks .really anoyed to hear there just a scam so iv been well had by the company Posted by stacey, n.ireland

(Will not be published)

  (Next time sign in to bypass captcha)

Latest in Software

Latest on Pocket-lint.com

About Pocket-lint

Pocket-lint is your one stop shop for gadgets, technology and consumer electronics, bringing you the low-down on the latest televisions, cameras, phones, GPS and much more. Whether it's learning about what's hot in the world of Apple, finding out about the latest home cinema kit from Samsung and Sony or merely seeing what not to buy, we have you covered. So check out our reviews, news, comment, hands-on photo galleries and videos. Enjoy.

Pocket-lint.com poll

Q. Do you still buy CDs?

Vote YES Vote NO

» LAST TIME
When asked Do you want the Droid by Motorola? 53% said yes and 47% said no

Top 10 Broadband

Compare 50+
broadband packages

Home Broadband »

Top products

tip us on news

reviews hub

Rss feed

Follow us on Twitter