The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 20th that it has referred representatives of five companies that illegally advertised general food products as health supplements effective for weight loss and obesity treatments to the prosecution on charges of violating the law on labeling and advertising of food and other products.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety launched an investigation after confirming online posts by influential social media (SNS) figures that advertised general food products as effective for weight loss, such as obesity treatment and appetite suppression.
As a result of the investigation, it was found that the suspects had provided the influencers with advertising phrases like 'Lose 7 kg in a month' and 'Super powerful appetite suppressant.' The influencers posted review videos on their SNS as if they had lost weight by taking the products. They also shared links to websites where the products could be purchased. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated that these companies deceived consumers by selling products worth 32.4 billion won from January last year to June this year.
Food companies falsely advertised that their products operated on the same principles as Wegovy, an obesity treatment developed by Denmark's Novo Nordisk. Wegovy mimics the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone, which promotes insulin secretion, lowers blood sugar, induces satiety, and aids in weight loss. However, the products they sold were general food items unrelated to the GLP-1 hormone.
Consumers can purchase products and leave reviews on their personal SNS accounts. However, it is illegal for sellers to engage in false or exaggerated advertising to sell products. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety noted, 'We will crack down on illegal online advertising to prevent consumer harm.'