Truth in advertising is actually a legislated issue. It is criminal to lie to consumers via erroneous messages and claims. Consumers are protected by various consumer protection laws. This is the legal and legitimate aspect of the abovementioned case. Truth in advertising is also an ethical and moral issue.

Producers, manufacturers, and marketers have the responsibility to convey across only the honest messages regarding their products and services. This is part of the company’s social responsibility and responsible marketing function. Consumer health is also an issue in this case. If and when this particular product is tested and reviewed against its claim by consumer groups and food & drug administration, it will be rendered illegal vis a vis its claim.

Advertising and marketing can make or break a product. If these efforts help a product sell, so can they lead to a product’s self-destruction if the message is erroneous. When a product destroys consumer confidence, its advertising will be its own death.

The legal, legitimate, ethical, moral, and health issues surrounding a certain juice drink’s erroneous claim, for instance, should be major considerations for its manufacturer and marketers because the erroneous claim can backfire on the product when consumer groups disclose the lie to the public and/or the food & drug administration and department of health order the recall of the product from the market.

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