Controversy in Mumbai
Mumbai: Three leading Bollywood stars, Shahrukh Khan, Ajay Devgan and Tiger Shroff, have landed in trouble over Vimal Cardamom advertisement. Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has sought clarification from these stars. The FDA says the ad may establish an indirect link to the banned pan masala brand.
The reply to the notice has not come yet
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said that the three actors have not yet responded to the notice. FDA has given them 15 days to submit written explanation and necessary documents. According to officials, further action will be taken in the matter after the reply is received or the deadline expires. The regulator has also directed the artistes not to participate in the advertising campaign and remove related promotional material on social media.
Questions raised in advertisement
According to the FDA, the controversy pertains to an advertisement that promoted cardamom under the brand name 'Vimal'. The department is concerned that this may lead to indirect promotion of a pan masala product which is banned in Maharashtra. The notices have been issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The department is now investigating what was the role of the artists in the advertisement and whether the brand endorsement has any connection with the banned product.
Ban on pan masala in Maharashtra
There is a ban on the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine in Maharashtra. This ban has come into effect from July 13 and will remain in force for one year. In this context, the Chamber of Trade and Industry has written a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding action and penalty. The organization says that no popular face should be exempted from the law. Now all eyes are on the FDA's deadline and the response of the three artists.