FDA Notice To Shah Rukh, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff Over Vimal Ad

MUMBAI, Aug 16: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued show-cause notices to actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their advertisement for Vimal Elaichi, alleging that it prima facie amounts to indirect or surrogate promotion of prohibited pan masala and tobacco-related products.

The FDA said the use of the expression “VIMAL Elaichi” in the advertisement appeared to establish an association with the Vimal Pan Masala brand and could mislead consumers while indirectly promoting the prohibited product.

The Greater Mumbai division of the FDA said the matter was particularly serious as the advertisement used the same brand identity associated with Vimal Pan Masala.

The notice, issued on August 11, identified Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff as brand endorsers and sought their responses within 15 days.

The FDA’s action comes over concerns that advertisements for products such as elaichi could serve as a means of promoting brands linked to prohibited pan masala and tobacco products.

The actors have been asked to explain their position in response to the notice within the stipulated period. (Agencies)