Several companies are tapping into people's fear about coronavirus and launching new products such as air sprays, disinfectants and sanitisers. But their effectiveness is debatable.
FMCG major Dabur India has launched an air sanitiser, under its brand Odonil, with the tag line 'Hawa ka doctor'. The advertisement of the product claims the spray kills 99 per cent of the germs in the air. The 20-second video, featuring Raveen Tandon, has also put a disclaimer saying, "Based on laboratory data when tested in standard lab conditions with 1 spray in a 216 cu.ft room size on airborne bacteria E.coli, S.aureus, Salmonella typhi and Salmonella typhimurium".
However, Dr Faheem Younus, Head of Infectious disease at Maryland University, and a reliable voice on COVID-19 has called the ad "Good video. Bad science".
He tweeted: "No proof such sprays protect against COVID. Waste of money".
Good video. Bad science
— Faheem Younus, MD (@FaheemYounus) November 14, 2020
No proof such sprays protect against COVID. Waste of money pic.twitter.com/gR2YkPixXk
A Dabur spokesperson told BusinessToday.In that Dr Younus has misinterpreted the advertisement. "Nowhere in the ad, we have said it fights COVID-19. Nowhere we have said it fights coronavirus. We are saying it (air spray) kills germs in the air," the spokesperson said. On the research, the company said the air spray has been tested in standard labs.
Here's the Odonil's advertisement:
In the past, Dr Younus has debunked myths like coronavirus will go away in summers, COVID-19 lives in the throat, and holding your breath for ten seconds can help you get rid of the virus.
In another television commercial, Colgate-Palmolive India has also launched an anti-bacterial toothbrush that claims to guard against germs.
Even Berger Paints has made an ad that shows actress Kareena Kapoor Khan say the paint protects the house from bacteria, viruses and pollutants. Nerolac also claims to have made India's first anti-viral paint.
While some outrightly claim protection against COVID-19, others have used surrogate terms like germs and viruses. Bluestar has released a filter system that boasts of "virus deactivation technology' with an explicit claim of "99 per cent efficacy" against coronavirus.
Although companies claim their products are backed by research, not enough questions are being asked for proof of their claims. Meanwhile, the Advertisement Standards Council of India (ASCI) has said there is nothing wrong in COVID-19 promises as long as brands deliver on them, while stressing on the importance of curbing misleading ads.Also read: BPCL stake sale: Last day to submit bids; all eyes on RIL