The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) yesterday fined Fubon Multimedia Technology Co NT$500,000 for exaggerating the effects of its charcoal dehumidifier packs in infomercials.
In the infomercials, shown on the Momo channel and Web site, the company claims the charcoal dehumidifier made by CHQ Connector Co — which is a small pack of charcoal chips — can soak up a glass of water within three seconds. Actors in the video demonstrate that even when the charcoal package is squeezed and wrung out, not a single drop of water escapes.
The ads also claim the product emits infrared rays that can dissolve both toxic substances in the air and electromagnetic waves that are harmful to the body.
They also claim the dehumidifier removes odors and dampness, which the ads say makes the product perfect for keeping footwear dry and odor-free.
The commission has received complaints from customers that the charcoal dehumidifier was not as “magical” as claimed.
When the product was tested by being put into a glass of water, the packs failed to soak up the water even after several hours, FTC Vice Commissioner Shih Hui-fen (施惠芬) said.
The charcoal dehumidifier has generated revenues of about NT$2 million (US$64,000) since going on sale in March last year for NT$890 each.
Not only have the companies involved made false claims about the product’s dehumidification virtues, they have been unable to provide evidence it can dissolve harmful substances in the air, the commission said.
Shih said Fubon had a history of exaggerating the benefits of its products on the Momo channel and had been fined three times this year for false advertising.
The commission also fined CHQ Connector NT$100,000 for violating the Fair Trade Act (公平交易法), and ordered the companies to remove the false claims from their advertisements.
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