‘Healthy’ milo and exploding smartphones: Australia’s 'shonkiest' products named and shamed
‘Healthy’ milo, exploding smartphone batteries and $20 cans of clean Australian air have been named and shamed at the 11th annual 'Shonky Awards' awards in Sydney.
Consumer group Choice has awarded nine companies with lemon trophies claiming they misled consumers with dodgy advertising and false claims.
Choice chief executive Alan Kirkland said the Shonkys are the awards they'd prefer not to give out, but it's again caught out some of the world's biggest brands with misleading advertising, dangerous products and sneaky tricks to rip off customers.
Nestle were awarded a Shonky for 'health washing' Milo with a four-and-a-half Health Star Rating.
Australia’s 2016 Shonky Award Winners
• Nestle Milo – Sugar-Coating Health Claims
• Vanish Preen Powerpowder - Fast Action Money Removal
• Samsung – Selling a Product That’s Too Hot To Handle.
• American Express - Sneaky Surcharges
• Camel Milk Victoria - Milking the Truth
• Cash Converters – Best Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
• Green and Clean - Claims as Thin as Air
• Kelloggs Pringles - Chipping Away at your Wallet
• Medical Weightloss Institute - Dodgy Diet Advice
There’s no surprise that the hashtag #Shonkys had a great reception on social media.
Breathing instructions for Tasmanian air (can't believe this is a real product) #shonkys pic.twitter.com/uJgJYVqnP5
— Elias Plastiras (@eliasplastiras) October 5, 2016
Milo by @Nestle bestowed a shonky for misleading health star claim. 4.5 or 1.5 stars?! #Shonkys "we're scientific here at @choiceaustralia" pic.twitter.com/huDNNv4etT
— Esther Han (@EstherHjHan) October 5, 2016
A real camel called 'Baldy' even showed up to claim his Shonky Award.
Camel Milk Victoria won the Shonky Award for Milking The Truth.
“This all-natural panacea can do just about anything apparently, and is "known to help improve the immune system by fighting off bacteria and infections and aid those who have autism, diabetes, tuberculosis, cancer, stomach ulcers and more,” a Choice spokesman said.
“Problem is, we checked these impressive claims with the food regulator, and none of them are on the list of permissible food health claims.
“The only benefit this wonder substance looks like delivering is to the camel farmers' bottom line. If the dodgy health claims aren't bad enough, camel milk comes with a whopping $21 a litre price tag.”
