SINGAPORE: Water dispenser firm Purexygen has been told to stop making misleading claims on the health benefits of alkaline or filtered water on its website and social media pages.
It claimed that such water could help prevent health conditions such as osteoporosis, acid reflux, blood pressure conditions and diabetes.
The company and its directors, Mr Heng Wei Hwee and Mr Tan Tong Ming, have been issued warnings by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS), the authority said in a media release on Thursday (Mar 21).
Purexygen supplies water dispensers, alkaline water filtration systems and maintenance service packages to consumers.
An investigation by the CCCS found that the company had engaged in unfair practices between September 2021 and November 2023.
Besides making misleading claims about the health benefits of alkaline or filtered water, it also claimed that its filters were evaluated by testing bodies.
This claim was made in the sales kit used by its staff in their sales pitches to consumers.
It also misrepresented in listings on Carousell that its water faucet and dispenser were free for a limited time. This was false as water faucets and dispensers were already provided to customers free of charge at all times.
Consumers were also misled about the terms and conditions of service agreements. They were told that fees paid for activation and maintenance service packages under direct sales contracts were non-refundable.
Customers were also not informed of their right to cancel these contracts and that any money paid under the cancelled contracts would have to be repaid.
Purexygen also gave false excuses for its persistent delays in providing purchased water filters.
CCCS said that following its investigation, Purexygen has taken steps to make changes to its business practices to ensure compliance with the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act.
This includes removing false claims from its sales kit, taking down its misleading promotion listings on Carousell and providing water filters that are owed to the consumer.
It has also taken steps to stop its misleading claims on the health benefits of alkaline or filtered water.
The company has undertaken to stop engaging in unfair practices and to cooperate fully with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to resolve complaints.
It will also put in place an "internal compliance policy" to make sure its marketing materials and practices comply with the Act, and will ensure staff undergo training to familiarise themselves with what amounts to unfair practice.
Its directors - Mr Heng and Mr Tan - have also given undertakings that the company would not engage in unfair practices.
"CCCS will take action if Purexygen or their directors breach the undertakings or engage in any other unfair practices," said the authority.
The CCCS said that as part of ongoing monitoring of the water filtration system industry, it is reviewing the practices of "various water filtration system suppliers regarding concerns with their marketing practices, in particular, relating to the accreditation, certification and health benefit claims found on their websites".
In March last year, a court ordered water filtration company Triple Lifestyle Marketing to stop making false claims, including that alkaline water prevents diseases such as cancer, diabetes and chronic lower back pain.
CCCS' chief executive Sia Aik Kor said: "Suppliers in the water filtration system industry are reminded to review their marketing materials to ensure that any claims made to consumers are clear, accurate and substantiated.
"Suppliers should also review their business practices from time to time to ensure that such practices do not amount to unfair practices.
"Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, CCCS can seek court orders against errant suppliers who persist in unfair practices."
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It claimed that such water could help prevent health conditions such as osteoporosis, acid reflux, blood pressure conditions and diabetes.
The company and its directors, Mr Heng Wei Hwee and Mr Tan Tong Ming, have been issued warnings by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS), the authority said in a media release on Thursday (Mar 21).
Purexygen supplies water dispensers, alkaline water filtration systems and maintenance service packages to consumers.
An investigation by the CCCS found that the company had engaged in unfair practices between September 2021 and November 2023.
Besides making misleading claims about the health benefits of alkaline or filtered water, it also claimed that its filters were evaluated by testing bodies.
This claim was made in the sales kit used by its staff in their sales pitches to consumers.
It also misrepresented in listings on Carousell that its water faucet and dispenser were free for a limited time. This was false as water faucets and dispensers were already provided to customers free of charge at all times.
Consumers were also misled about the terms and conditions of service agreements. They were told that fees paid for activation and maintenance service packages under direct sales contracts were non-refundable.
Customers were also not informed of their right to cancel these contracts and that any money paid under the cancelled contracts would have to be repaid.
Purexygen also gave false excuses for its persistent delays in providing purchased water filters.
Related:
CCCS said that following its investigation, Purexygen has taken steps to make changes to its business practices to ensure compliance with the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act.
This includes removing false claims from its sales kit, taking down its misleading promotion listings on Carousell and providing water filters that are owed to the consumer.
It has also taken steps to stop its misleading claims on the health benefits of alkaline or filtered water.
The company has undertaken to stop engaging in unfair practices and to cooperate fully with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to resolve complaints.
It will also put in place an "internal compliance policy" to make sure its marketing materials and practices comply with the Act, and will ensure staff undergo training to familiarise themselves with what amounts to unfair practice.
Its directors - Mr Heng and Mr Tan - have also given undertakings that the company would not engage in unfair practices.
"CCCS will take action if Purexygen or their directors breach the undertakings or engage in any other unfair practices," said the authority.
Related:
The CCCS said that as part of ongoing monitoring of the water filtration system industry, it is reviewing the practices of "various water filtration system suppliers regarding concerns with their marketing practices, in particular, relating to the accreditation, certification and health benefit claims found on their websites".
In March last year, a court ordered water filtration company Triple Lifestyle Marketing to stop making false claims, including that alkaline water prevents diseases such as cancer, diabetes and chronic lower back pain.
CCCS' chief executive Sia Aik Kor said: "Suppliers in the water filtration system industry are reminded to review their marketing materials to ensure that any claims made to consumers are clear, accurate and substantiated.
"Suppliers should also review their business practices from time to time to ensure that such practices do not amount to unfair practices.
"Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, CCCS can seek court orders against errant suppliers who persist in unfair practices."
Continue reading...