Soon, the plethora of health influencers who provide recommendations on various social media platforms regarding the consumption of a particular nutrient or supplement will be required to demonstrate their qualifications and eligibility to ensure that they are not engaging in deceptive advertising or spreading false information to their followers.
The department of consumer affairs is currently drafting guidelines for social media influencers, particularly in the fields of health and finance, to ensure that they do not spread false or misleading information.
By the beginning of the following month, these influencers will be required to post disclaimers on their platforms, making it clear whether they are actual nutritionists or are simply promoting a product.
According to sources, those who violate these guidelines will be fined Rs 10 lakh.
Health and wellness influencers are frequently observed recommending the use of particular supplements, according to ministry officials, who added that the government wants to confirm whether they are simply endorsing a product and selling it under the guise of nutrients, or whether they are genuine experts in the field.
They claimed that the information these influencers provide on their platforms misleads consumers, causing them to purchase potentially harmful products.
According to official sources, these influencers would be required to demonstrate their qualifications as experts if they advise their subscribers to use a particular nutrient or supplement.
Such influencers will be required to publish disclaimers to establish their affiliation with a particular product and to make it clear in what capacity they are disseminating information to subscribers.
The purpose of these guidelines is to prevent such influencers from engaging in manipulation.
Even finance sector influencers or “finfluencers” who provide information to their followers on a variety of financial products, advising them to invest in specific schemes or financial instruments, will be subject to these guidelines.
They will also be required to disclose their credentials, making it clear whether they are qualified financial advisers or simply promoting a scheme or financial product under the guise of investment advisers, thereby deceiving investors.
