Monsterbacke fruit quark in court

Competition Center is fighting against misleading food advertising

07/13/2012

„monsterbacke“-Fruit quark for children „As important as the daily glass of milk“ - Because of this in their view misleading advertising promise, the Wettbewerbszentrale sued the dairy Ehrmann. In its more than 100-year history, the Wettbewerbszentrale has issued around 300,000 formal complaints about business practices, with more than 25,000 cases brought to court.

Promising advertising claims that are by no means justifiable in view of the actual properties of the products enjoy great popularity to this day. For example, Ferrero advertises his „Milk cuts“ with the slogan „Tastes easy. Does not burden. Ideal for in between“, although this consists of about 60 percent fat and sugar. In the case of the most audacious advertising lies, the Wettbewerbszentrale gets involved and in case of doubt also goes to court. The Center for the Prevention of Unfair Competition e.V. sees itself as an organ of economic self-control and acts in case of doubt in case of doubt against members of its own association.„Only through this self-understanding of our members is the self-control effective and credible“, stressed Reiner Münker, Managing Director of the Wettbewerbszentrale at its centennial anniversary in May.

Wettbewerbszentrale moves against advertising lies in court
Among the companies that have already been reprimanded by the Wettbewerbszentrale, numerous large, well-known companies but also small and medium-sized traders. So, for example, against a Hessian branch baker successfully filed a complaint with the Higher Regional Court (OLG) Schleswig, as this be „Protein dinner“ with the statement applied: „Slim in sleep“. The bread can not cause weight loss, the advertising claim is therefore not allowed, so the judgment of the Higher Regional Court. In the 1980s, the Wettbewerbszentrale had a fierce litigation because of the then famous „Cola tests“ led in the television commercial. But also against Krombacher was the Wettbewerbszentrale, when the brewery in 2002 with the statement that each purchased box Krombacher a square meter of rainforest is sustainably protected, tried to boost sales. A coffee roasting company that advertised with the slogan: „Gentle roasting over an open fire“, was on the initiative of the competition headquarters of the Palatine OLG Zweibrücken to recruit, prompted the incorrect advertising statement, because the coffee is not roasted over an open fire, but in a gas-powered drum roaster.

„monsterbacke“-Fruit quark not a substitute for a glass of milk
With the dairy Ehrmann, the Wettbewerbszentrale is currently also in litigation, because of their „monsterbacke“-Fruit curd. The dairy advertises this with the statement: „As important as the daily glass of milk.“ For the competition guardians a clearly misleading slogan. Because both parents and children are suggested that a glass of milk can be replaced by a fruit quark. However, this is by no means the case, even if a portion „monsterbacke“ actually contains the same amount of calcium as a glass of milk. In addition, the fruit quark is a considerable sugar content and a relatively high proportion of additives and flavors, said the Center for Combating Unfair Competition on. In the first instance, the Wettbewerbszentrale had prevailed before the OLG Stuttgart, but the dairy did not want to give up so quickly and therefore went into revision. Now, the Federal Court must decide whether the Fruchtquark may continue to be advertised with the slogan.

Truthful advertising claims demanded
In the area of ​​food, they also put organizations like „Food Watch“ or the „aid info service“ for truthful advertising statement. They denounce the boldest advertising slogans, present them on their websites and ask the manufacturers to stop their misleading advertising. In addition, the experts of „Food Watch“ also legislative proposals in order to achieve a truthful declaration of the foodstuffs in the interests of the consumers and put the policy under pressure. To the foods of „Food Watch“ Massively criticized include, for example, the probiotic yogurt „Activia“ from Danone with its allegedly digestive function, which is vitaminized „Ferdi Fox“ Mini sausages for children of Stockmeyer with their supposed „daily contribution to the healthy diet“ and the „Take 2“ Storck sweets, which suggest to children that they could also cover their vitamin needs with sweets.

The three-strong advertising lies are rewarded with the Golden Windbag
Also milk cuts is due to the advertising pledge „Tastes easy. Does not burden.“ from „Food Watch“ harshly criticized. After all, the milk cuts advertised with the help of top athletes contain 60 percent fat and sugar, and thus more sugar and fat in percentage terms than many pieces of chocolate cream cake explained „Food Watch“. Tens of thousands of consumers have the instant fruit teas as of the 12th month of Hipp this year „Golden puff“ excellent. The manufacturer Hipp tries „Sugar granulated teas as recommended for toddlers to sell“, so the accusation of „Food Watch“.

EU Commission reviews advertising statements
Not only the consumer protection organizations and the Wettbewerbszentrale campaign against the misleading advertising promises, the European Commission also takes action against the pseudo-scientific advertising claims. Certain „Health Claims“ were banned, and the European Food Agency EFSA in Parma had reviewed just under 4,000 applications for admittance of advertising claims to its scientific foundations. Around 1,600 slogans, such as „Strengthens the immune system“ or „for healthy bones and joints“ were rejected as scientifically untenable, 2,000 more are still being evaluated. For the fallen advertising slogans is still a transitional period until December, then they may no longer be applied. (Fp)

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Image: Foodwatch