(Photo by Hassan Ibrahim\DNE)
The Consumer Protection Agency referred eight satellite channels to general prosecution on charges of misleading advertising.
The agency also issued a warning against using medical products that are not registered in the Ministry of Health’s records. The CPA highlighted that it has received several complaints from citizens. The advertised products were proven to be unfit for use, and did not lead to any medical benefit.
Atef Yaqoub, the head of CPA, said that those medical products claim to treat some diseases. Yacoub highlighted that the eight channels include Beruit movies, Al-Mosaree’, Al-Halaba, WWE, Misr Cinema and Al-Beit Beitak.
The products claimed to treat erectile dysfunction, baldness, trim fat and cellulite, as well as treating neck and back pain.
Earlier this month, Yaqoub told Daily News Egypt that the CPA referred 37 satellite channels and service centres to Public Prosecution, due to advertising about fake maintenance centres appropriating the name of one of the famous brands, Zanussi.
“These centres alleged that they are authorised agents, but it is not true, and the channels violate Article 6 of the Consumer Protection Act,” Yaqoub said. The article commits the contractor and advertised channel or agency to supply the consumer with correct information about the product. It should also avoid creating misleading impressions to the consumer.
The CPA head confirmed that there are many fake brands misleading the authorised and known service centres to cheat consumers, through hotlines, which give consumer confidence.
The CPA has also received many complaints from online shopping websites. The agency is currently working on developing e-commerce monitoring mechanisms for protecting consumers, through including new articles in the Consumer Protection Act 67/2006.
