FDA Issues Notices to SRK, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff Over Vimal Ad

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra has issued show-cause notices to actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff over their association with an advertisement for Vimal Pan Masala.

Under the direction of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the celebrities have been asked to remove the promotional advertisements from their social media accounts within 15 days. The FDA has warned of action if they fail to comply.

The notices were issued after the three actors appeared in an advertisement promoting Vimal Elaichi (cardamom), a brand associated with pan masala, in 2024. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe criticised the advertisement for allegedly promoting a brand associated with a prohibited product in Maharashtra.

In a show-cause notice issued on August 11, the actors were directed to immediately discontinue their participation in the campaign and remove all promotional content related to the advertisement from their official social media handles. Mundhe stated that the advertisement “may mislead consumers” and “indirectly promote” the brand identity of the prohibited product.

The manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of pan masala are prohibited in Maharashtra under the state’s public health and food safety regulations. The notice issued to the celebrities also states that under Section 24 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, misleading or deceptive advertisements related to food products are prohibited.

Moreover, under Mundhe’s direction, the FDA has also conducted several raids at food outlets and other establishments in recent weeks. Several outlets have reportedly been ordered to shut down or cease operations following inspections that found food safety violations and lapses in hygiene standards.

The FDA's action against the celebrities is part of a larger crackdown on food safety violations in Maharashtra. The state government has been taking steps to ensure that food products sold in the state are safe for consumption.

The issue of pan masala restrictions in Maharashtra is not new. The state government had banned the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of pan masala in 2020 due to concerns over its impact on public health. The FDA's action against the celebrities is a reminder that the state government is serious about enforcing the ban.

The FDA's decision to issue notices to the celebrities is likely to have a significant impact on the advertising industry in India. It highlights the need for celebrities to be careful about the products they endorse and for companies to ensure that their advertisements comply with food safety regulations.

In conclusion, the FDA's action against SRK, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to ensure food safety in Maharashtra. It serves as a reminder that the state government is committed to protecting the health and well-being of its citizens.