Numerous False and Exaggerated Short-Form Ads on SNS Detected for Claims Like "Hair Loss Prevention" and "Immunity Boost"

220 out of 325 Inspected Advertisements Found in Violation of the Law
False or Exaggerated Claims About Food and Cosmetics Detected on Social Media

A large number of videos advertising food, cosmetics, and other products as if they were pharmaceuticals through short-form (brief video) content on social networking services (SNS) have been uncovered.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 21st that it had inspected 325 short-form advertisements on SNS and detected 147 food advertisements that violated the "Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods, etc."?including false or exaggerated advertising?and 73 cosmetic advertisements that violated the "Cosmetics Act." The ministry requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission and other relevant authorities to block access to these posts.

The ministry focused its search on keywords that attract consumer interest, such as "hair loss," "diet," and "immunity," and monitored advertisements actually recommended by the algorithm.

Major violations related to food included: 69 cases (46.9%) of advertising ordinary foods in a way that could be confused with "health functional foods"; 58 cases (39.5%) of advertisements that could mislead consumers into believing the food had effects on the prevention or treatment of diseases; 11 cases (7.5%) of false or exaggerated advertising; 5 cases (3.4%) of deceptive advertising targeting consumers; and 4 cases (2.7%) of advertising that could cause foods to be mistaken for pharmaceuticals.

Major violations related to cosmetics included: 44 cases (60.3%) of advertisements that could mislead consumers into believing the product had pharmaceutical efficacy or effects; 26 cases (35.6%) of advertisements that could cause consumers to misunderstand or be misled about the facts; and 3 cases (4%) of advertisements that promoted ordinary cosmetics as functional cosmetics or that differed from the review content for functional cosmetics.

The ministry urged consumers to be cautious and not be misled by unfair advertisements, such as short-form content on SNS, and to check product approval information on Food Safety Korea or Drug Safety Korea before making a purchase.