Every year, Consumers International ("the global voice for consumers") announces the year's International Bad Product Awards, international brands guilty of abusing consumer rights. Any thoughts as to the winners this year? McDonald's? Mattel? Good guesses, all of them, but sorry. Wrong. This year's winner is Takeda Pharmaceuticals of Japan, and you'll never guess why they won.
Sleeping pills. For kids. Complete with "back-to-school" images in the marketing. Because who doesn't think of sleeping pills when they think about back-to-school? And this despite obvious health warnings against pediatric use of the medication. But why worry about health warnings when you've got stuff to sell?
Next up: Coca-Cola, for selling Dasani bottled water, aka "tap water." What, you thought Dasani was maybe, I dont know, spring water? Or somehow better than tap water? Something other than tap water? Nope.
And then: Kellog's. Because high-sugar high-sodium junk food should always be marketed to kids using cartoon characters.
Not to leave out: Mattel. Because you know they had to make this year's list, didn't you? For "stonewalling US congressional investigations and avoiding overall
responsibility for the global recall of 21 million products." That sounds substantial, doesn't it?
And a big round of applause to this year's winners!
