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Six advertisements that were so misleading they had to be banned

Six advertisements that were so misleading they had to be banned

The Advertising Standards Authority has banned Poundworld's "everything £1" claim following complaints that the discount retailer was selling items costing £8.99.

Here are some of the other ads to fall foul of the regulatory watchdog...

1. Olay

An anti-ageing skin cream advert starring Twiggy was banned in 2009 after it emerged the real “secret” to the model’s brighter-looking eyes was generous airbrushing at the hands of a photo retoucher.

2. Red Bull

In August the energy drink company agreed to pay more than $13m (£8m) to settle a class action lawsuit for misleading consumers with promises of increased physical and mental performance.

3. Department of Energy and Climate Change

The UK Government misled consumers about its flagship energy efficiency scheme, the advertising watchdog ruled this year. The Green Deal adverts implied savings were guaranteed.

4. Reebok

The sports brand was ordered to refund $25m (£16m) to customers in 2011 after promising that its EasyTone shoes could firm users’ buttocks and legs, despite producing no evidence to support this claim.

5. Listerine

Makers of the mouthwash had been marketing their product as a cold remedy for over 50 years when the Federal Trade Commission declared in 1976 that the health claims were bogus.

6. Morrisons


Earlier this year the supermarket chain came under fire for a TV advert showing a child removing all the salad items from her burger. Morrisons denied it condoned unhealthy eating but the advert was axed.

More: 14 old adverts that were horrendously, abysmally sexist

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