Michiyo Koketsu from Consumers Union of Japan participated in Consumers International’s Congress in Australia, October 29-November 1, 2007.
CI announced the winners of the International Bad Products Awards, as 400 delegates from national consumer organisations and governments convened in Sydney. The awards aim to highlight failings of corporate responsibility and the abuse of consumer trust by internationally recognised brands.
Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, and Mattel top the list of international brands guilty of abusing consumer rights, with Takeda Pharmaceuticals winning the overall prize for taking advantage of poor US regulation and advertising sleeping pills to children, despite health warnings about paediatric use.
“Japan has stricter rules and does not allow such TV commercials for pharmaceutical products,” notes Michiyo Koketsu. “However, we are concerned about the risk that similar commercials will be approved in the near future. We will keep watching and expect more corporate social responsibility, not less.”