Yakult Honsha

This company has been criticised for making unsubstantiated health claims. In 2012 the UK Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint about a tv ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued.
Source: Advertising Standards Authority (2013)

In 2015 Cruelty Free International exposed cruel animal tests carried out by Danone, Nestle and Yakult, presumably so that the companies could market health claims about their products. However in 2018 Yakult was applauded by PETA for ending all experiments on animals.
Source: Cruelty Free International (2015)

From Ethibel.org - Overall, Yakult rates above average as a performer of CSR. Business Behaviour achieves an average score, as commitments have been made towards ensuring food safety. Human Rights rates as average despite the lack of commitment to the respect of labour rights, the domain's only criterion. Environment scores above average, as efforts have been made towards almost all of the required issues. Community Involvement also scores significantly above average, due to the efficient and innovative service of the Yakult Ladies. There is very little information provided in the domain of Corporate Governance, earning it an average score, and Human Resources gains no score at all, as no commitments have been made to the issues related to the subject. Yakult conducts animal testing at its Central Institute for Microbiological Research.
Source: Ethibel (2009)