Empowering Consumers: VKI Launches 2025 Voting Initiative

Consumer Watchdog Unveils Nominees for ‘Most Annoying Product’ of 2025

Vienna,Austria – september 3,2025 – The association for Consumer Information is once again tasking consumers with identifying the most frustrating products on the market. For 15 years, the organization has compiled reports based on consumer feedback regarding discrepancies and defects in food and other goods. This year’s nominations,announced today,spotlight issues ranging from misleading health claims to sneaky cost increases.

The Nominees for the 2025 ‘consumer Duck’ Award

The VKI’s annual “Consumer Duck” campaign invites the public to vote for a product they find notably irritating or deceptive. The five nominees for 2025, listed in alphabetical order, represent a diverse range of consumer grievances.

Asia Green Garden Mie Noodles: A Global Supply Chain

Thes noodles, sold at Hofer stores, boast international origins. While available locally, the wheat flour used in thier production originates from Australia, and the noodles themselves undergo final production in China. This complex supply chain raises questions about transparency and food miles.

Billa Vitamin Water Raspberry: A Sugary Disguise

Despite marketing itself as a healthy beverage, Billa Vitamin Water Raspberry contains a considerable amount of sugar – approximately seven sugar cubes per 0.5-liter bottle. This highlights the potential for misleading health claims in the beverage industry.

Eskimo Magnum: Shrinkflation in Action

Several varieties of Eskimo magnum ice cream bars have experienced a reduction in size-a 10-milliliter decrease-while together increasing in price by as much as 14 percent. this practice, known as ‘shrinkflation’, is a growing concern for consumers.

Mars Protein Bar: A Fitness Myth?

Marketed as a fitness snack, the Mars protein bar contains a significant amount of sugar (18 grams) and calories (around 190 per bar). Perhaps more notably, it’s approximately 80 percent more expensive than the original Mars bar. Consumers should be wary of such claims.

Nöm Cremix Pistachie: Flavor Illusion

The Nöm Cremix Pistachie product implies a generous pistachio content.Though, each cup contains the equivalent of only two pistachios, relying rather on coloring and artificial flavoring to create the illusion of a richer pistachio experience.

Past ‘Consumer Duck’ Winners

Previous winners of this annual award include Kotányi Grill Vegetables Spice Mixing (2024 – “Mogelpack”), Paw Patrol -Wasser (2023 – bottling in Greece), Rama Margarine (2022 – Shrinkflation), and Dr. Oetker Kuchendekor (2021 – Titanzixide insulation). These past selections underscore a pattern of consumer dissatisfaction with deceptive marketing and product changes.

Year	Winner	Reason
2024	Kotányi Grill Vegetables Spice Mixing	Misleading Packaging (“Mogelpack”)
2023	Paw Patrol -Wasser	Bottled in Greece despite local perception
2022	Rama Margarine	Shrinkflation
2021	Dr. Oetker Kuchendekor	Use of Titanzixide Insulation

Did You Know? Shrinkflation has been on the rise globally, with manufacturers reducing product sizes while maintaining or increasing prices to combat rising ingredient and production costs. A recent study by the Office for National Statistics in the UK revealed a noticeable trend in this practice across several food categories.

Pro Tip: Always compare unit prices (price per ounce, gram, or liter) when shopping to identify true value, especially when considering products that may have undergone shrinkflation.

Voting for the 2025 “Consumer Duck” is open from September 3rd to October 5th, 2025, at www.vki.at/ente2025.

Understanding Consumer Rights and Protection

Consumer protection organizations play a crucial role in holding companies accountable for misleading practices. Understanding your rights as a consumer-including the right to accurate information, fair pricing, and safe products-is essential. Staying informed about ongoing scams and deceptive marketing tactics can help you make more informed purchasing decisions. Resources like the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) provide valuable information and tools for consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Consumer Protection

• What is ‘shrinkflation’? Shrinkflation is when a product’s size or quantity is reduced while its price remains the same or increases.
• Where can I find more information about consumer rights? Numerous organizations, including government agencies and non-profits, offer resources on consumer rights.
• how can I report a misleading product? You can report misleading products to consumer protection agencies or the company directly.
• What is the role of consumer watchdog groups? Consumer watchdog groups monitor products and practices, advocating for consumer rights and providing information to the public.
• Is misleading advertising illegal? Yes, misleading advertising is generally illegal and can result in penalties for companies.

What do you think is the most frustrating practice companies employ to increase profits? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to share this article with your friends!

What specific consumer issues will the VKI candidate questionnaires prioritize?

Understanding the 2025 Consumer Rights Landscape

The Austrian consumer protection organization, VKI (Verein für Konsumenteninformation), has announced a significant initiative for 2025 focused on empowering consumers through informed voting. This initiative comes at a crucial time, as consumer rights face evolving challenges in areas like digital services, sustainability, and financial products. The VKI’s efforts aim to equip citizens with the knowledge needed to advocate for policies that protect their interests. This year’s focus is particularly relevant given the increasing complexity of the modern marketplace and the growing need for robust consumer advocacy.

Key Pillars of the VKI’s 2025 Voting Initiative

The VKI’s initiative isn’t simply about encouraging people to vote; it’s about fostering informed voting. Here’s a breakdown of the core components:

Candidate Questionnaires: VKI is sending detailed questionnaires to candidates across all major political parties, focusing on their stances on key consumer issues. Thes include:

Digital Consumer Rights: Data privacy, online contract openness, and the right to repair.

Sustainable Consumption: Policies promoting eco-amiable products, reducing waste, and combating greenwashing.

Financial Protection: Fair lending practices, clear banking fees, and protection against predatory financial schemes.

Energy costs & Consumer Protection: Addressing rising energy prices and ensuring fair treatment for consumers.

Voter Guides: Based on the candidate responses, VKI will publish complete, non-partisan voter guides available online and in print. These guides will clearly outline each candidate’s position on critical consumer issues, allowing voters to make informed decisions. Expect these guides to be available in multiple formats for accessibility.

Educational Workshops & Webinars: Throughout the election period, VKI will host workshops and webinars covering topics like understanding consumer law, identifying misleading advertising, and navigating digital marketplaces. These resources will be free and open to the public.

Online Resource Hub: A dedicated section on the VKI website (https://vki.at/) will serve as a central hub for all initiative-related materials, including candidate responses, voter guides, and educational resources. This hub will also feature a consumer rights glossary and FAQs.

Why This Initiative Matters: The Growing Need for Consumer Protection

The need for strong consumer protection is more pressing than ever. Several factors contribute to this:

1. The Rise of Digital Services: The increasing reliance on online platforms and digital services introduces new risks for consumers, including data breaches, subscription traps, and unfair contract terms. Online shopping safety is a major concern.
2. Sustainability Concerns: consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable products and practices, but are frequently enough misled by “greenwashing” – deceptive marketing that exaggerates a product’s environmental benefits.
3. financial Vulnerability: Economic uncertainty and rising inflation make consumers more vulnerable to predatory lending practices and financial scams. Financial literacy is crucial.
4. Complexity of Regulations: Consumer laws can be complex and difficult to understand, leaving many consumers unaware of their rights.

VKI’s Historical Impact on Consumer Rights in Austria

The VKI has a long and accomplished history of advocating for consumer rights in Austria. Some notable achievements include:

Landmark Legal Cases: VKI has successfully challenged unfair contract terms in court, setting precedents that protect consumers nationwide.

Influencing Legislation: The organization has actively lobbied for stronger consumer protection laws, contributing to significant improvements in areas like product safety and data privacy.

Raising Public Awareness: Through its publications, media appearances, and educational programs, VKI has consistently raised public awareness about consumer rights and responsibilities.

Independent Testing & Reporting: VKI conducts independent testing of products and services, providing consumers with unbiased information to make informed purchasing decisions. This includes product testing reports on everything from household appliances to financial products.

How Consumers Can Get Involved

The VKI encourages all Austrian citizens to participate in the 2025 Voting Initiative:

Review Candidate responses: Carefully examine the responses provided by candidates to the VKI’s questionnaires.

Utilize Voter Guides: use the VKI’s voter guides to compare candidates’ positions on consumer issues.

Attend Workshops & Webinars: Participate in VKI’s educational events to learn more about consumer rights.

Share Information: Spread the word about the initiative to friends, family, and colleagues.

Become a VKI Member: support the VKI’s work by becoming a member. Membership provides access to exclusive benefits, including legal advice and discounted product testing.

Resources for Further Information

VKI Website: https://vki.at/

Austrian Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs: https://www.bmeia.at/en/ (for information on relevant legislation)

European Consumer Centre Austria: https://www.ecc.at/en/ (for cross-border consumer disputes