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World’s Worst Brands

November 2, 2007, Kelli Matthews


Consumers International (CI), the international federation of consumer advocacy groups, has announced the winners of its annual International Bad Product Awards.

Member organizations submit nominations for awards that aim to “highlight failings of corporate responsibility and the abuse of consumer trust by internationally recognised brands.”

This year’s winners:

Coca-Cola – for continuing the international marketing of its bottled water, Dasani, despite admitting it comes from the same sources as local tap water.

Kellogg’s – for the worldwide use of cartoon-type characters and product tie-ins aimed at children, despite high levels of sugar and salt in their food products.

Mattel – for stonewalling US congressional investigations and avoiding overall responsibility for the global recall of 21 million products.

With the overall prize going to:

Takeda Pharmaceuticals – for taking advantage of poor US regulation and advertising sleeping pills to children, despite health warnings about pediatric use.

From Richard Lloyd, Director General of CI:

“These multi-billion dollar companies are global brands with a responsibility to be honest, accountable and responsible. In highlighting their short-comings Consumers International and its 220 member organisations are holding corporations to account and demanding businesses take social responsibility seriously.”

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Kelli Matthews
  • Anonymous

    It is too bad that this award ceremony was not shown on television. People need to pay attention to the terrible things that many corporations are doing. It is unfortunate that many terrible deeds committed by corporations go unnoticed and unpunished. Our society needs to stand up and put an end to corporate dishonesty.

  • Anonymous

    It is too bad that this award ceremony was not shown on television. People need to pay attention to the terrible things that many corporations are doing. It is unfortunate that many terrible deeds committed by corporations go unnoticed and unpunished. Our society needs to stand up and put an end to corporate dishonesty.

  • Chris Hammond

    I understand why Kellogg’s, Mattel and Takeda were chosen for the 2007 International Bad Product Awards. I disagree, however, with Coca-Cola’s placement on the list because of the reason: misleading consumers to think that the water is from a spring rather than the tap. The giant beverage company has admitted that Dasani is not made with spring water. There are plenty of more important reasons to be angry about bottled water – reasons that go beyond Coca-Cola.

    It’s the consumers’ thirst for bottled water that is damaging water resources the world over. It is poor regulation that has allowed for substandard quality in bottled water.

    And what about the pristine spring water that people desire? Its production is ransacking ecosystems the world over.

    If people are going to purchase water, they should do so from companies that make less environmental impact. For example, Arrowhead now bottles its water in a bottle that uses less plastic. Consumers should also refill those bottles again and again from their tap before opening up another bottle.

    It’s okay to be disappointed with Coca-Cola. In fairness, though, the Bad Product Award should have gone to the entire bottled water industry.

    For problems associated with the industry, visit: http://wellnessgoods.com/downstream.asp

  • Anonymous

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