A Delhi consumer court has ordered Emami Ltd to pay a fine of Rs 15 lakh for deceptive advertising of its Fair and Handsome cream. The court ruled in favor of a consumer who complained that the product did not deliver the promised skin-lightening effect despite using it as directed. The consumer had purchased the cream in 2013 for Rs 79 and used it twice daily for faster glowing fairness, but saw no improvement. The court found that Emami’s advertising and packaging were misleading, as they did not mention that factors such as diet, exercise, and hygiene can affect the product’s results. The court also pointed out that the product was meant for men aged 16-35 who are not sick, but this information was not included on the packaging. As a result, Emami has been ordered to stop its misleading practices, withdraw its product packaging and ads, and pay Rs 14.5 lakh to the Delhi State Consumer Welfare Fund. The complainant will receive Rs 50,000 in damages and Rs 10,000 for legal costs.
