18 Products That Were Marketed With Wildly Misleading Claims
This list shows products that were advertised with claims that were later found to be misleading.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Many products have been sold using claims that were not true. This list shows how companies made false promises about their products. Some were fined, some faced lawsuits, and some lost customer trust. It is a reminder to always check before believing what ads say.
1. Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Scandal
Filip Frid on Wikimedia Commons
Volkswagen said its diesel cars were clean and eco-friendly. In reality, they installed devices that cheated emissions tests. The scandal led to big fines and damage to their reputation.
2. Red Bull “Gives You Wings”
Red Bull GmbH on Wikimedia Commons
Red Bull used the slogan “Gives You Wings” to suggest it boosts performance. There was no real proof of these benefits. The company paid millions to settle lawsuits.
3. Kellogg’s Attentiveness Boost" Cereal
Interbrand on Wikimedia Commons
Kellogg claimed that their cereal made kids more attentive. Their studies did not support these strong claims. They had to settle with the government for making false ads.
4. Johnson & Johnson Talc Powder
Johnson & Johnson on Wikimedia Commons
Johnson & Johnson sold baby powder without warning about possible health risks. Later, it was linked to asbestos and lawsuits followed. The company eventually stopped selling the talc version.
5. L’Oréal “Boosts Genes” Cream
L’Oréal on Wikimedia Commons
L’Oréal advertised that their cream could change how your genes worked to fight aging. Scientists said there was no proof for this. The government banned these claims.
6. Toning Shoes That Promised Fitness
Skechers USA, Inc. on Wikimedia Commons
Companies like Skechers and New Balance said their shoes could tone muscles and burn fat. Studies showed no special benefit. They faced lawsuits and had to refund customers.
7. Airborne Immune-Boosting Claims
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Airborne claimed to prevent colds and boost immunity. Scientific studies found little evidence for this. The company paid millions to settle legal actions.
8. Nurofen’s “Specific Pain” Products
Maksym Kozlenko on Wikimedia Commons
Nurofen sold different boxes for different pains, but the medicine inside was all the same. This misled customers into paying more. The company was fined and ordered to change its packaging.
9. Juice Plus Health Claims
The Juice Plus+ Company, LLC on Wikimedia Commons
Juice Plus advertised big health benefits for its supplements. Health authorities said they made false claims. They faced large fines and restrictions on advertising.
10. Burger King’s Oversized Whopper Ads
Burger King Corporation on Wikimedia Commons
Burger King showed Whoppers much bigger in ads than in reality. Customers felt tricked and filed lawsuits. The courts allowed the case to continue.
11. Fake Supermarket Discounts
Donald Trung Quoc Don (Chữ Hán: 徵國單) - Wikimedia Commons - © CC BY-SA 4.0 International
Some supermarkets raised prices before putting items on “sale.” This made the discount look bigger than it was. Regulators stepped in to stop this practice.
12. Aldi’s Confusing Sausage Label
Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd on Wikimedia Commons
Aldi sold sausages with a big “12” on the package that referred to cooking time, not quantity. Shoppers thought they were buying 12 sausages. Many felt misled after opening the pack.
13. Hidden Influencer Sponsorships
Sebastiaan Stam on Pexels
Some influencers promoted products without saying they were paid. This broke advertising rules. Regulators forced them to add clear disclosures.
14. Fitness Plans That Were Not Personalized
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An influencer sold “personalized” fitness plans that turned out to be generic. Customers felt cheated and sued. The influencer had to pay a large settlement.
15. Cleaning Brands Smearing Competitors
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Some brands made unfair claims about being better than competitors without proof. This led to lawsuits and penalties. Advertisers must back up their comparisons with facts.
16. Anti-Aging Supplements
Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels
Some supplements claimed to reverse aging or stop time. There was no science behind these promises. Officials labeled these ads as misleading.
17. Beauty Ads That Overpromise
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Many beauty products use heavy filters and exaggerated claims in ads. The results are often not realistic. These ads often leave customers disappointed.
18. “All-Natural” and Greenwashing
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Products often claim to be “all-natural” without clear rules on what that means. Many products still include artificial or harmful ingredients. Authorities continue to investigate these vague claims.