Core Viewpoint - The distinction between "health products" and "health food" is emphasized, highlighting the lack of legal definition for "health products" and the specific legal status of "health food" under Chinese law [1] Group 1: Definition and Regulation - "Health products" encompass a wide range of items without a clear legal definition, including those claiming specific health benefits like "health wine" and "weight loss coffee" [1] - "Health food" is defined under the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, requiring registration or filing, and can claim specific health functions [1] Group 2: Consumer Guidance - Consumers are advised to recognize the health food label (commonly known as "small blue hat") and approval number, and to choose products based on health functions and suitable demographics [1] - It is recommended to purchase health food from legitimate online and offline channels, retaining invoices or sales receipts, and to be cautious of purchasing through social media or live streaming [1] Group 3: Awareness and Rights - Consumers should enhance their risk awareness and self-protection, being vigilant against false marketing tactics that imply health benefits or use misleading concepts like "natural" or "weight loss" [1] - In case of quality issues, consumers are encouraged to contact sellers for after-sales service, and to report false advertising or consumer fraud by calling the 12315 hotline or consulting consumer associations [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the distinction between "health products" and "health food," highlighting the prevalence of false advertising and misleading claims in the health product market in China [1][2]. Group 1: Definition and Issues - "Health products" are broadly defined without clear legal boundaries, often including items like "health wine," "height-increasing powder," and various daily consumer goods that claim health benefits, while "health food" is legally registered and can claim specific health functions [1]. - The health product market has seen significant issues such as false advertising, exaggerated claims, and consumer deception, necessitating consumer awareness in selecting legitimate health food products [1]. Group 2: Marketing Malpractices - The marketing chaos in the health product sector includes three main issues: the shift of illegal marketing to online platforms, the emergence of covert marketing channels through private live streaming, and the use of deceptive marketing tactics targeting vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly [2]. - Influencers and well-known bloggers are exploiting their reach to promote ordinary products and health foods through misleading claims, which infringes on consumer rights [2]. Group 3: Regulatory Actions - The market regulatory authority has been actively combating illegal practices since 2020, with over 6,304 cases investigated and fines totaling 260 million yuan, focusing on false advertising and unfair competition in the health product market [3]. - New initiatives include encouraging consumers to report illegal activities and enhancing supervision of direct sales companies to prevent violations [3]. Group 4: Future Directions and Consumer Guidance - The regulatory body plans to continue addressing false advertising in health products, particularly for the elderly, to protect consumer rights and maintain fair market competition [4]. - Consumers are advised to recognize legitimate health food labels, choose reputable purchasing channels, and remain vigilant against deceptive marketing tactics [4].

Core Viewpoint - The distinction between "health products" and "health food" is significant, with the former lacking clear legal definitions and often associated with misleading claims, while the latter is legally registered and can claim specific health benefits [1][2]. Group 1: Definition and Distinction - "Health products" encompass a wide range of items without clear legal definitions, including those claiming specific health benefits like "health wine" and "weight loss coffee" [1]. - "Health food" is a legally defined category under China's food safety law, allowing for specific health claims, while other foods cannot make such claims [1]. Group 2: Consumer Guidance - Consumers should recognize the health food label (commonly known as "small blue hat") and approval number, and choose products based on their health functions and target groups [2]. - It is advised to purchase health food from legitimate online and offline channels, retaining invoices or sales receipts, and to be cautious of purchases through social media or live streams [2]. - Consumers are encouraged to enhance their risk awareness and self-protection, being vigilant against false marketing tactics that suggest health benefits or treatments for diseases [2]. - Consumers should maintain their legal rights, reporting quality issues or fraudulent claims to the appropriate authorities [2].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness regarding false advertising in the food industry, particularly concerning health claims made by certain products that are not classified as health foods [1][5]. Group 1: Regulatory Framework - The relevant laws in China clearly state that food labels and instructions must not contain false information and cannot claim disease prevention or treatment functions [5]. - There is a strict prohibition against misleading commercial advertising for food products, including claims of health benefits [5]. Group 2: Consumer Guidance - Consumers are advised to be skeptical of any claims that suggest food products have health benefits, especially those promoted through informal channels like social media or word of mouth [5]. - When purchasing health food products, consumers should look for the "blue hat" symbol, which indicates proper registration and compliance [11]. - It is recommended to buy health food products from reputable online platforms and physical stores, ensuring to request receipts or proof of purchase [11]. Group 3: Reporting Violations - Consumers are encouraged to report any illegal or misleading marketing practices related to food products by calling the complaint hotline 12315 [8].

Core Viewpoint - The market regulatory authorities and consumer associations in China have issued a warning to consumers about the misleading claims of ordinary food products being marketed as health supplements or having health benefits, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between ordinary food, health food, and pharmaceuticals [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Framework - There is a strict legal distinction between ordinary food, health food, and pharmaceuticals in China, with laws prohibiting false advertising and claims related to disease prevention and treatment [2]. - The laws such as the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, Advertising Law, and Consumer Rights Protection Law explicitly forbid misleading commercial promotions of food products [2]. Group 2: Consumer Guidance - Consumers are advised to carefully check product labels to identify whether they are ordinary food, health food, or pharmaceuticals, and to look for the "blue hat" symbol on health food products [3]. - It is recommended to purchase health food from reputable e-commerce platforms and physical stores, avoiding unverified sources such as social media or informal groups [3].

Group 1 - Recent media reports have exposed illegal practices by online retailers who mislabel ordinary food products as "health drinks," "height-enhancing powders," and "slimming coffee," misleading consumers into purchasing these items at inflated prices [1][3] - The State Administration for Market Regulation and the China Consumers Association have issued warnings that ordinary food cannot claim health benefits or involve disease prevention and treatment [1][2] - Health food is classified as a special food with specific health functions, and it is subject to strict registration and filing management in China, marked with a "blue hat" symbol [1][2] Group 2 - The Consumer Rights Protection Law mandates that businesses provide truthful and comprehensive information about the quality, performance, and uses of their products, prohibiting any misleading claims [2][3] - There is a clear distinction between health foods and pharmaceuticals, with health foods not intended for disease treatment and not causing harm to the body [2][3] - Illegal vendors often blur the lines between ordinary and health foods, promoting ordinary foods as having health benefits through misleading marketing tactics [3][4] Group 3 - Consumers are advised to recognize and verify health food labels and approval numbers, and to purchase from reputable sources to avoid misleading promotions [4] - Legal regulations explicitly prohibit any claims that foods can "treat," "cure," or "prevent" diseases, and consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant against such misleading advertisements [4]

Core Viewpoint - The market regulatory authorities and consumer associations in China have issued a warning to consumers about the misleading claims made by some online sellers regarding ordinary food products being marketed as health supplements or having disease prevention and treatment effects [1][4]. Group 1: Regulatory Framework - There is a strict distinction between ordinary food, health food, and pharmaceuticals according to Chinese laws and regulations [2]. - Labels and instructions for food and food additives must not contain false information or mention disease prevention or treatment functions [3]. - Health food is not a substitute for medical treatment, and various laws prohibit false or misleading commercial promotions of food products [4]. Group 2: Consumer Guidance - Consumers should be cautious of ordinary food being misrepresented as health food and should recognize the packaging labels that indicate whether a product is ordinary food, health food, or a pharmaceutical [4]. - When purchasing health food, consumers should look for the "blue hat" symbol and select products based on their health functions and suitable demographics, following the label instructions [5]. - It is advised to purchase health food from reputable e-commerce platforms and avoid unverified sources such as social media or small programs, as well as to buy from legitimate stores and request invoices or receipts [6].