Food and Drugs Advertisement: Something ain't right

How to get the message across?
Puzzled when reading the title or looking at the photograph?

Here are some striking examples on what could be characterized as an advertisement with a peculiar taste : From 19th century Victorian Age

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2198086/Victorian-adverts-health-remedies-laden-cocaine-morphine-alcohol.html

to 21st century Modern age:
http://www.complex.com/city-guide/2013/08/completely-inappropriate-booze-and-food-ads/non-alcoholic-nova-schin

Semiotics and Meaning on Food and Drug adds are meant to be taken seriously, in order to avoid creating wrong innuendos.

Super Foods: "True" or "False" ?

Super Foods. A term somewhat redundant. 

Food is nutritious and healthy per se as long as it is not consumed in excess. After all according to Hippocrates 

" Everything in excess is opposed to nature".

So, are there any real Super Foods? According to EU legislation manufacturers should be very careful when using such claims in order to characterize their foods as such: there must be sound scientific evidence supporting them. 

Here is a list of some interesting articles and links on Super Foods, their labeling and Health Claims. 

So, next time you are going to the grocery shop, play a game and look out for  "False" or "True" health claims. 

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/nutrition.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121005082537.htm
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/feb/12/superfood-bore-off-jay-rayner?CMP=twt_fd
http://multimedia.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/gcetwo_class.pdf

Food Marketing Trends: Informing the Public.

As obesity rates increase and health problems weigh heavily on household and state budgets, precaution seems to be the only solution.  

Marketing is moving towards informing people before they choose responsibly what to eat.

Here are some guidelines set out in the US and the EU regarding labeling and food marketing.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-prevention/food-environment/food-marketing-and-labeling-and-obesity-prevention/

http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/labellingnutrition/claims/index_en.htm

EU and Spirits Responsible Marketing Communications

Have you ever thought about responsible marketing communications regarding Alcohol?

How does the EU handle the particular issue?
What are the major Guidelines?

Here are some things you might want to check on:

• General principles - what is legal, decent, honest and truthful 
• Misuse - what is violent, aggressive, dangerous or antisocial 
• Minors - who should not consume alcohol 
• Driving - never drink and drive 
• Performance - do sports and drink go together? 
• Social/sexual aspects - drinking is not related to sexual appeal or social apparatus 

All of this and more on the following report "Spirits and Europe Guidelines for the Development of Responsible Marketing Communications"

http://www.easa-alliance.org/Issues/issues-2/page.aspx/78