Targeted consumer protection inspection launched to protect vulnerable consumers – focus on products promising misleading medicinal effects

The protection of vulnerable consumers is a key goal of consumer protection, given that commercial practices affecting them can be particularly misleading, abusing the vulnerable position of those concerned. The consumer protection authority has previously investigated products promising misleading medicinal effects that focus on vulnerable consumers. At the same time, there are still countless products available – especially online – that promise immediate healing, whether it be mineral bracelets or various “medicinal mushroom” teas.

In addition to the products, various treatments are also advertised in a misleading way, such as a general health assessment determined by examining brain waves, or a complete health examination available for a coupon of a few thousand forints. According to the experience of the consumer protection authority, these treatments are usually performed by unqualified persons who, after a health assessment that yields devastating results, try to persuade primarily elderly people to buy medicinal products. In addition to financial damage, deception can also have serious health consequences, since in a given case, a truly sick consumer fails to seek the necessary medical treatment, trusting in cheap products that promise quick results but have no real medicinal effect. There are also frequent cases where certain goods are advertised using the image of a well-known person, such as a doctor, thus creating trust in the deceived customer.

All of this particularly justifies the consumer protection authority’s decisive action in the interest of vulnerable consumers. Vulnerable consumer groups include consumers who are particularly vulnerable due to their age (including both children and the elderly), consumers who are particularly vulnerable due to their gullibility (including, among others, consumers who are vulnerable due to their health condition or illness), and consumers who are particularly vulnerable due to their mental or physical impairment.

The inspections cover mineral bracelets promising healing, general health assessments determined by examining brain waves, and various “medicinal mushroom” teas. The authority’s staff also examines products that improve health, “treatments” disguised as health services, and products that promise medicinal effects, such as dietary supplements and potency enhancers. They also check products that appeal to families caring for children with disabilities or special educational needs, often using untrue claims, including C-peptides that cure autism, CBD oils, or gummies that promise to cure ADHD.

The inspections also cover products that use well-known people in a misleading – unauthorized – way, advertise the product in their name, and thus try to establish trust in the product.

The inspections – in line with the 7-point consumer protection action plan announced last fall – are ongoing in order to protect vulnerable consumer groups.