Adverts claiming that Horlicks makes children "taller, stronger and sharper" and that Nestle's Maggi Noodles strengthen muscles and bones have been banned after they mistakenly appeared on UK television.

The adverts were destined for viewers in Bangladesh, but screened on the UK channel Nepali TV by mistake.

Both included misleading claims that breached UK advertising regulations, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled.

The Horlicks advert claimed the drink was trialled on half of children at a boarding school, with a voiceover saying in Bengali: "Children have become taller, stronger and sharper. The Horlicks challenge - now proven. See for yourself."

In the Nestle advert a mother explained to her child: "Maggi is the best because it has essential protein and calcium that help to build strong muscles and bones. Indeed, there is no comparison to Maggi noodles. Amazing taste. Amazing nutrition."

An accompanying graphic showed an arm with a yellow glow over the bicep and a knee with a yellow glow over the kneecap.

Nestle and Horlicks said they never intended the adverts to be screened in the UK.

The adverts were picked up by ASA monitoring staff, who challenged the two companies and Nepali TV to provide evidence to back up the claims.

Nestle and Horlicks manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) said their adverts had been broadcast on Nepali TV without their knowledge or consent. Both said the adverts complied with legal requirements in Bangladesh.

GSK said Horlicks in Bangladesh was carefully fortified and the claims were supported by clinical studies undertaken by the National Institute of Nutrition in India.

The manufacturer said the product was not available in the UK and there was no intention of advertising it here.

Nestle said Maggi Noodles with protein and calcium provided 20% of the recommended daily allowance for the nutrients as set out by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation, both recognised by the Bangladesh Government.

The ASA said it was concerned that Nepali TV was screening adverts without consent, noting that it was obliged to abide by the conditions of its Ofcom licence.

It said it had seen no evidence that supported the claims in either of the adverts, ruling that they were misleading.