Recently, a new rule has been passed saying that celebrities and influencers who portray themselves as health experts need to be true about the promotions of their products. The same goes for fitness experts and medical advisors.
This is made mandatory by the “Additional Influencer Guidelines for Health and Wellness Celebrities, Influencers, and Virtual Influencers”. The step is taken by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs after the approval from the different groups.
The recommendations emphasise that they must include a statement stating that their material is not intended to be a substitute for expert medical advice. The recommendations also recommend that, during such campaigns, endorsers encourage their audience to check with a health expert before making any significant changes to their diet, exercise, or medication habits.
These guidelines have also been added to,’ Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements’.