The advertising campaign is essential for any company because showing outstanding qualities of products or services helps make the customer interested in them. Today technical advances allow the advertisement to come directly to its target audience, appearing on their computer screens and attracting their attention. However, consumers often do not realize the pitfalls of what they are going to buy, which seems unethical on the companies’ part.
One of the biggest trends in the modern world is healthy nutrition. Many companies worldwide benefit from promoting products that can help people reduce weight or stay in shape, and Herbalife is not an exception. It was founded in 1980 by Mark Hughes, who actively targeted the audience by visiting potential customers and hosting TV programs where he told the audience how Herbalife production could change their life. However, he did not concentrate on the ingredients leading to promised results. It turned out that until 2002 the original Herbalife products had contained ephedrine, which was later banned by the FDA (Enders, 2021). Moreover, they used many GMOs, artificial sweeteners, and toxic emulsifiers harmful to people (Enders, 2021). Scientific studies have been conducted throughout the world because of the hepatoxicity linked to the consumption of Herbalife products (Enders, 2021). Although it was not proved, it remains a fact that many consumers complained about liver problems provoked by these products. It leads to a conclusion that the customers’ awareness about ingredients and side effects should be prioritized.
Advertising is always based on manipulating the customers’ feelings and desires, which is accepted in society as a necessary part of business strategy. However, hiding the truth about the product or service and its potential danger is unfair. People often tend to buy something under the influence of fashion, which can lead to bad outcomes. Thus, it is a moral duty of companies to let their consumers know all risks so that they can make a conscious decision.
Reference
Enders, M. (2021). Is Herbalife good for you. HESCA. Web.