Notification of Restricted Products Removal
We sell curing salt, specifically Prague Powder or “instacure” which is a concentrated curing salt.
I’ve just received the following message via email.
"We are writing to let you know that the following detail pages have been removed from our catalog:
ASIN: B071X2K1YQ, SKU: MM-TPF4-K9YR, Title: Surfy’s Prague Powder #1 (Cure Number 1) Instacure (1) Pink Curing Salt (500g)
ASIN: B071X2K1YQ, SKU: FBA-MM-TPF4-K9YR, Title: Surfy’s Prague Powder #1 (Cure Number 1) Instacure (1) Pink Curing Salt (500g)
This product has been identified as one that is prohibited for sale or listing in our store. For more information, refer to Seller Central > Help > Content Restrictions > Offensive Products."
I don’t understand what could be “offensive” about a curing salt? Especially when other products by other sellers and our other pack sizes are still visible. In fact on Amazon’s US site, Amazon have been known to actually sell the same product themselves.
Anybody got any suggestions on how to appeal this successfully and get it re-instated?
Notification of Restricted Products Removal
We sell curing salt, specifically Prague Powder or “instacure” which is a concentrated curing salt.
I’ve just received the following message via email.
"We are writing to let you know that the following detail pages have been removed from our catalog:
ASIN: B071X2K1YQ, SKU: MM-TPF4-K9YR, Title: Surfy’s Prague Powder #1 (Cure Number 1) Instacure (1) Pink Curing Salt (500g)
ASIN: B071X2K1YQ, SKU: FBA-MM-TPF4-K9YR, Title: Surfy’s Prague Powder #1 (Cure Number 1) Instacure (1) Pink Curing Salt (500g)
This product has been identified as one that is prohibited for sale or listing in our store. For more information, refer to Seller Central > Help > Content Restrictions > Offensive Products."
I don’t understand what could be “offensive” about a curing salt? Especially when other products by other sellers and our other pack sizes are still visible. In fact on Amazon’s US site, Amazon have been known to actually sell the same product themselves.
Anybody got any suggestions on how to appeal this successfully and get it re-instated?
47 replies
Seller_SaUlkZ2FrweUM
That is a strange one, could just be a Amazon glitch I would ask SS to clarify what the issue is. But what images were you using, did any of them show meat products or images of pigs or cows as these could technically be deemed offensive to some people and some religions
Seller_NoMNQDGnEW5Bx
Is it the e127 as that’s only allowed in certain products so could be picked up by a bot? As an aside you’ve no address on your labels which is against policy too
Seller_E4LnfGNjL11hy
Thanks for your suggestions Sequin, however E127 is the only colouring that’s stable enough to not fade in this product, and it’s there as a “functional colouring” i.e. a safety marker, not for “attractive” appearance. It’s used in ALL Prague Powder, all over the world.
Address IS on the labelling, just not visible in those pictures as they show only the front.
Surely both of those would be deemed labelling or safety issues, rather than being “offensive”, that’s what’s so confusing.
Seller_E4LnfGNjL11hy
The appeal process requires me to submit photos or documents to support the appeal.
Anyone have any ideas what I would submit?
Also, are there professionals we could hire to help with an appeal like this?
Seller_E4LnfGNjL11hy
This is what I have submitted, let’s see what happens next.
“I have been advised the product is prohibited from sale with the flag being something is offensive. We cannot see what may be offensive from viewing the data on the listing - though we are happy to resolve this. Please advise what is flagging this product as offensive.
I should add that the word “CURE” in the product name and description is not used in any medical context, it is the term given to the process of preservation of meat in a charcuterie sense. This is NOT a medical product and no claims of such are made. It complies with all Amazon policies and is also sometimes sold by Amazon themselves.
Also the same product from other sellers is still visible and available on the Amazon site.
The ASIN contains no ingredients etc. that are listed as prohibited from sale anywhere in Amazon’s Restricted Products policies.
The product and its labelling has been inspected by our local trading standards and EHO departments and is approved for retail sale.
I am keen to resolve whatever issue the Amazon bots have flagged (presumably accidentally) but need your assistance and co-operation to identify what the issue is.
Thank you.”
Then attached this photo of the product:
Seller_E4LnfGNjL11hy
My latest reply, using some of the input gratefully received from you guys:
I’m keen to work with you to resolve this, but I need some co-operation, I’m sorry but simply copying and pasting the previous response doesn’t help.
To re-iterate, there is NOTHING offensive or anything that contravenes the criteria listed in the Amazon help pages that you have linked to.
This is simply a food ingredient: mostly salt plus a preservative, there is no restriction imposed by any regulatory body in the UK on the sale/supply of products containing the ingredients contained in this product.
In light of the above, the product is fully compliant with all relevant Amazon policies and doesn’t breach/go against the restricted products policy, I therefore ask that the matter be ESCALATED to the relevant department so the ASIN can be reinstated urgently.
Thank you.
Putting together the email to the MD in readiness for the inevitable copy and paste reply.
Seller_E4LnfGNjL11hy
OK, this is really odd.
After may last email 5 days ago, heard nothing. Then this morning the product is back up and visible, yay!
However, I then get the following email:
We have reviewed your request for reinstatement of the following product(s) and have
determined that the product(s) does not meet the criteria for reinstatement at this
time:
ASIN: B071X2K1YQ
Title:
You can view these emails on the Notifications page in the Performance section of
Seller Central:
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/performance/notifications
In order for this ASIN to be considered for reinstatement, remove any prohibited
content and or provide additional evidence of compliance, and reply to this email
with the detail page changes made. We will review for consideration of
reinstatement.
This item has been identified as an offensive product and is not eligible for reinstatement.We do not explicitly go into details as to the reason for the specific item. You may refer the seller to the Amazon Help Pages:
I really don’t get it?!!
Should I leave it now, seeing that it appears to be re-instated after all, or respond?
Winston_Amazon
Hello all,
I am moving this thread to Account Health, as this topic relates more to Account Health, and better assist can be provided, however do feel free in updating the thread!
Winston
