Sanction Against Shoe Ad Disrespecting Food

The Advertisement Board rendered a recent guiding decision implementing Article 7/2 of the Regulation on Commercial Advertisement and Unfair Commerce Practices ("Regulation") titled "Accuracy and Honesty" and ruling that "Advertisements shall be in compliance with the principles of fair competition which have gained acceptance in both business life and in public opinion within the framework of the sense of economic and social responsibility"

The decision pertains to the advertisements published by an international fashion company, on its website, operating in Turkey as well. In the decision subject to the decision, some food products particularly like breads and donuts covered with colorful toppings were placed together with some attractive shoes and sandals offered for sale. The food and footwear products were arranged in upside-down and side by side position in the cited online advertisements of the company. The Advertisement Board held that the practice of