A company advertises a food product as a health food, but an independent laboratory analysis proved that the company falsified data on calorie count, net carbohydrates, and other nutritional facts. This could have a very dangerous effect on the health of those consumers innocently buying the product, falsely believing the item is compatible with their dietary needs, when in fact, the item instead is harmful to them. Which issurim are exactly involved, and how does halacha view the company’s actions? To what extent are they responsible if a person experienced further health issues from mistakenly using the product under the false premises advertised?
Answer:
Misleading the public in a way that could endanger many people is a terrible sin. It includes prohibitions of lying, damaging others, and even placing other’s lives in danger. They would be responsible for damages their product caused, as it was done with malicious intent. They should be given the opportunity to cease their activities, but if they do not, they may stopped using whatever means possible.
