A total of 124 posts falsely and exaggeratively advertised cosmetics as if they were pharmaceuticals by promoting effects such as fat decomposition and body fat reduction.
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 24th, there were 123 instances of advertisements that misrepresented cosmetics as pharmaceuticals by claiming effects of maintaining body shape or weight reduction, as well as one advertisement that misled consumers or had a risk of misperception by providing false information.
Some products claimed unverified effects such as 'fat decomposition,' 'cellulite removal,' 'body fat reduction,' and 'weight loss,' or misrepresented facts to mislead or confuse consumers, stating 'no steroid ingredients' and 'non-irritating.' One cosmetic sales post advertised with a review saying, 'I felt like the fat was burning when I applied it and exercised.'
The Ministry noted that advertisements claiming no use of steroid ingredients could mislead consumers, citing examples where the expression used stated that they did not use prohibited steroid ingredients.
In response, the Ministry has requested on-site inspections and administrative actions from the relevant local office for 30 sales posts among the 124 cases of false and exaggerated advertising that were directly advertised by responsible cosmetic sellers.
The Ministry said, 'Please be careful not to be deceived by false and exaggerated advertisements when purchasing cosmetics,' and added, 'We will continue to monitor and take action to ensure consumers can use cosmetics safely.'