Bollywood News / Maharashtra FDA Issues Notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff Over Surrogate Ad
·2 hours ago·2 min read
Key Points
The Maharashtra FDA has issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over an advertisement, alleging it amounts to surrogate advertising for a pan masala, a product banned in the state.
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 appearance in an advertisement that the regulator alleges could amount to surrogate advertising for a prohibited tobacco-related product.
The notices, issued this week, seek explanations from the three actors regarding their roles as brand endorsers in the advertisement.
According to the FDA, the advertisement's presentation, dialogue, product branding and market context raise concerns over whether it indirectly promotes a tobacco-related product prohibited in Maharashtra.
The regulator said the product in question has been prohibited for manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale in the state for one year under an order issued by the Maharashtra Commissioner of Food Safety on July 13, 2026, under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
FDA Examines Surrogate Advertising
The FDA said the action marks the first time it has begun examining surrogate advertising under the state's food safety enforcement framework.
The regulator has cited Section 24 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which restricts misleading and deceptive food advertisements. It has also referred to Section 53, which provides for a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh for a person who is party to the publication of a misleading food advertisement.
The notices ask the actors to explain their involvement and their position regarding the regulator's concerns.
Also Read: Govinda Slams Wife Sunita over Abusive Language
Crackdown on Tobacco Products
Maharashtra has prohibited gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine since 2012. The FDA has intensified action against the sale and promotion of such products and has been coordinating with police against alleged organised networks involved in their distribution.
The regulator has also said it is examining cases involving the promotion of prohibited tobacco-related products under applicable food safety laws.
The actors' responses to the show-cause notices are awaited.
The notices, issued this week, seek explanations from the three actors regarding their roles as brand endorsers in the advertisement.
According to the FDA, the advertisement's presentation, dialogue, product branding and market context raise concerns over whether it indirectly promotes a tobacco-related product prohibited in Maharashtra.
The regulator said the product in question has been prohibited for manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale in the state for one year under an order issued by the Maharashtra Commissioner of Food Safety on July 13, 2026, under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
FDA Examines Surrogate Advertising
The FDA said the action marks the first time it has begun examining surrogate advertising under the state's food safety enforcement framework.
The regulator has cited Section 24 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which restricts misleading and deceptive food advertisements. It has also referred to Section 53, which provides for a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh for a person who is party to the publication of a misleading food advertisement.
The notices ask the actors to explain their involvement and their position regarding the regulator's concerns.
Also Read: Govinda Slams Wife Sunita over Abusive Language
Crackdown on Tobacco Products
Maharashtra has prohibited gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine since 2012. The FDA has intensified action against the sale and promotion of such products and has been coordinating with police against alleged organised networks involved in their distribution.
The regulator has also said it is examining cases involving the promotion of prohibited tobacco-related products under applicable food safety laws.
The actors' responses to the show-cause notices are awaited.
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