The NBTY-owned British retail giant, with 620 stores across the UK and Ireland, had its ‘Qualified to advise’ webpage challenged by an internet user but the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) backed H&B.
The agency said H&B’s claim that its associates possess, “a nationally recognised qualification in nutrition and supplements” was not exaggerated.
H&B said some of its staff had gained a QCF ((Qualifications and Credit Framework) qualification, which was recognised by Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation).
The ASA said the course was, “extensive and covered a number of areas including safety, vitamins and minerals, healthy eating, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements and common ailments.”
It also advised about no-go health areas that may, for instance, fall within the medical realm.
“We considered that the course gave participants suitable knowledge to be able to advise on nutrition and supplements and the advertising had not exaggerated their expertise in that area,” the ASA concluded.
“We also considered that, because the qualification obtained at the end of the training programme was a recognised qualification, the claims that staff were qualified to advise on nutrition and supplements were unlikely to mislead. We concluded therefore that the advertising did not breach the Code.”
The page included statements that its staff were equipped to advise on areas like vitamin C, whey, protein, echinacea and fish oils.
“If you are taking supplements, take our advice,” the ad said.
The training programme was not confined to H&B products but included, “body systems, health, ailments, nutrition, food supplementation and herbal remedies.”
“The course consisted of numerous workbooks and learning tools and staff were expected to use other external materials, attend courses and pass online examinations for each level of qualification,” the ASA noted.