The Advertising Standards Authority has intervened in a social media post by former boxer Anthony Fowler regarding CBD products.
- Fowler’s post on his personal account promoted a discount code for CBD, claiming broad health benefits.
- Concerns were raised over potential breaches of advertising codes relating to health claims.
- Despite Fowler’s insistence that his comments were personal opinions, the ASA ruled the post as an advertisement.
- The ruling emphasises that all health claims must be backed by authorised statements per the CAP Code.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) recently addressed a social media post by Anthony Fowler, a former boxer and owner of Supreme CBD, which advertised CBD products. The post on his personal account included a discount code and suggested extensive health benefits, leading to a complaint and subsequent investigation by the ASA.
Fowler’s assertion that the content reflected his personal opinion did not exempt the post from advertising standards. The ASA underscored that because Fowler owns Supreme CBD, his statements about the products constituted advertising and must adhere to the CAP Code regulations regarding health claims.
The ASA identified that the claims made by Fowler, such as the effectiveness of CBD for everyone due to the endocannabinoid system, could mislead consumers into believing the products have general health benefits. Such claims require specific authorisation on the Great Britain nutrition and health claims register, which currently does not list any for CBD.
Highlighting the absence of authorised health claims for CBD, the ASA concluded that Fowler’s post breached CAP Code rules on food and supplement advertisements. The ruling mandated that the ad be removed in its current form and cautioned Fowler and Supreme CBD against making unverified health claims in future communications.
Previously, Fowler and Supreme CBD faced similar scrutiny in February, alongside other athletes, for promoting CBD as a treatment for diseases, further reinforcing the need for compliance with established advertising guidelines.
The ASA’s decision underscores the necessity for authorised health claims in CBD advertisements to ensure compliance with advertising standards.
