The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a series of problem online ads promoting prostate supplements and home-testing kits, following a proactive sweep of healthcare claims using its AI-powered Active Ad Monitoring system.
Earlier this year, the regulator used its AI system to scan a wide range of online health ads, helping it “build a clearer picture of emerging and ongoing issues around misleading health information in advertising”.
From this, it was able to identify a number of priority areas for further action, including the ads which have now been banned.
Four supplement brands, Nutrisslim, Nutreance, Muxue Trade and Impact Herbs, made claims that their products could treat medical issues such as enlarged prostate, urinary flow problems or prostate inflammation.
None of these products were authorised medicines, and food products, including supplements, cannot make medicinal claims.
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Jess Tye, regulatory projects manager at the ASA said: “When it comes to health, people deserve honesty. Misleading ads about prostate supplements or tests can cause real harm, and today’s rulings hold advertisers to account.
“We’re continuing to monitor this sector closely, using our AI tools to spot problem ads early on. And if someone does have a concern about an ad they’ve seen, we’d encourage them to get in touch”.
The ASA also banned ads from two companies (Self Check and Lifelab Testing) promoting prostate home-testing kits after they claimed that Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests could diagnose or rule out prostate cancer. A PSA test alone cannot do either and in both cases, the ads failed to make clear that these tests had limitations.
“Many of the claims we’ve seen in these ads are unacceptable. They not only break a number of our rules, but they risk misleading vulnerable people, or steering those who need it away from appropriate medical advice,” said an ASA spokesperson.
“This is especially worrying when it comes to men’s health. Prostate symptoms can be worrying and, for some, difficult to talk about, so ads that promise quick fixes or simple answers can seem even more appealing. But misleading claims can give false reassurance or make it harder for people to know when to speak to a doctor, which is why it’s so important that information about prostate health is accurate and responsible.”
