":: Well I think this is in the same category as prejudice and stereotypes.  The purpose of advertising is not to inform, but to manipulate.  I do not recall the last time I felt I was informed by any commercial in any way.  As far as deception is concerned; well I think most advertisements do that.  The whole ""a part of a healthy diet"" nonsense is usually applied to  food which is *not* part of any known medically approved ""healthy diet"".  ""5 hour energy"" contains 0 calories  which always makes me laugh.  It is at best an energy *catalyzer*, in which case they should explain that  obviously they don't.  And the list just goes on and one.  The problem is that these are not just run of the mill misconceptions.  These, essentially, are active, sustained, intentional attempts at deception by corporations.  It is a general phenomenon, like stereotypes, which I think is more general than merely a misconception.    

 "