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].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the emergence of a new business model targeting elderly consumers through private domain live streaming and group buying, which often leads to deceptive marketing practices and financial exploitation of vulnerable individuals [3][8][15]. Group 1: Business Model and Practices - New stores labeled "国×优选" and "大×拼团" have appeared in cities like Zhengzhou, focusing on attracting elderly customers through low-priced goods and promotional tactics [3][4]. - The strategy involves creating WeChat groups where elderly individuals are lured with low-cost offers and then subjected to aggressive marketing tactics in private live streams [3][5]. - Criminal activities have been documented, with individuals using tactics such as offering cash rewards for participation and creating a sense of urgency around product availability to drive sales [5][8]. Group 2: Marketing Tactics - Live streaming sessions often begin with health-related discussions to instill a sense of urgency and fear regarding health issues among elderly viewers, leading them to purchase promoted products [6][7]. - Products marketed include various health supplements, often falsely claimed to treat serious conditions, which misleads consumers into believing in their efficacy [6][9]. - The pricing structure reveals significant profit margins, with some products sold at prices far exceeding their production costs, indicating a high level of exploitation [10][12]. Group 3: Legal and Regulatory Issues - Courts have documented numerous cases of fraud, with significant financial losses reported by elderly victims who were misled by these marketing practices [8][9][15]. - Regulatory bodies are beginning to take action against these practices, but the hidden nature of private domain live streaming complicates enforcement efforts [14][15]. - Despite legal repercussions for some offenders, the lucrative nature of this business model continues to attract new participants, perpetuating the cycle of exploitation [15].

Core Viewpoint - The rise of private domain live streaming scams targeting elderly individuals has prompted regulatory actions across various regions in China [1][12]. Group 1: Nature of the Scams - Numerous stores with names like "National × Preferred" and "Big × Group Purchase" have emerged, primarily focusing on attracting elderly customers through low-priced goods and promotional tactics [1]. - The marketing strategies employed include offering products at significantly reduced prices, such as "1 yuan for 10 selenium-rich eggs," aimed at enticing seniors to provide personal information and join WeChat groups [1][2]. - In these private live streaming sessions, elderly participants are subjected to persuasive sales tactics, often leading to purchases of health products and other items [1][3]. Group 2: Mechanisms of Operation - Criminals utilize WeChat groups to invite elderly individuals, offering incentives like red envelopes for participation, and restrict access to live streams through password protection [2][10]. - The content of the live streams often includes health-related discussions designed to instill a sense of urgency regarding health issues, promoting products as effective remedies for common ailments [3][5]. - The sales process is structured to create a closed-loop system where online orders are fulfilled through offline pickups, complicating regulatory oversight [10][11]. Group 3: Financial Implications - The profit margins for these scams are substantial, with reports indicating that some platforms achieve annual revenues exceeding 10 billion yuan [6]. - For instance, a product sold for 499 yuan may have a production cost of only 108 yuan, indicating a high markup and significant profits for the scammers [8][9]. - The average monthly gross profit for a store can exceed 70,000 yuan, highlighting the lucrative nature of these operations [7]. Group 4: Regulatory Response - Regulatory bodies are beginning to take action, with various local market supervision departments conducting inspections and identifying fraudulent practices [12]. - Courts have started to impose penalties on individuals involved in these scams, with sentences ranging from several years in prison to substantial fines [12].