Government Implements Stricter Guidelines for Transparent Health Product Endorsements by Influencers and Celebrities
The guidelines emphasize the importance of influencers separating their personal opinions from professional guidance. Additionally, influencers are explicitly instructed not to make health claims without proper evidence to support their statements. This is a significant step toward ensuring that the information shared by influencers is credible and rooted in evidence-based practices.
A crucial aspect of these guidelines is the introduction of a mandatory statement to be included by influencers. This statement must make it explicitly clear that the content being shared is not a substitute for professional medical advice. During product promotions, influencers are encouraged to motivate their audience to consult healthcare professionals before making significant changes to their diet, exercise, or medication routines.
These guidelines have been developed following extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including health ministries, Ayush ministries, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). They complement the existing ‘Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements,’ originally published by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs in June 2022.
