Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration i.e. FDA has issued show cause notice to Bollywood actors Ajay Devgan, Shahrukh Khan and Tiger Shroff. The FDA alleges that the advertisement of ‘Vimal Cardamom’ is actually indirectly promoting ‘Vimal Pan Masala’ which is banned in the state. These notices have been sent to the addresses of the actors this week. Notice has been given to Ajay Devgan through his Juhu residence, Shah Rukh Khan through ‘Mannat’ (Bandra) and Tiger Shroff through his production company ‘Tiger Shroff Productions LLP’. FDA has sought clarification from everyone on their role. What was said in the notice? According to the FDA’s notice, the ad’s presentation, dialogue, product name, and market context raise questions about whether it constitutes indirect promotion of a banned tobacco product. “Prima facie, this advertisement promotes the brand ‘Vimal’, which is primarily associated with Pan Masala. The Maharashtra Government has banned the manufacture, storage, transportation and sale of Pan Masala for one year from July 13, 2026, under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety Act (FSS Act 2006), the notice said. Preparation of MCOCA on tobacco and gutkha network: There is a ban on tobacco and nicotine containing gutkha and pan masala in Maharashtra since 2012, which is renewed every year. Recently, the period of this ban has been extended again on 13 July 2026. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe had on June 12 directed officials to take strict action under ‘MCOCA’ (Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act) in collaboration with the police in cases of organized gutkha and tobacco networks. Goods worth ₹15 crore seized in 2 months, 701 people arrested. Campaign against banned Gutkha and Pan Masala has been intensified in Maharashtra. FDA data between May 25 and July 31: Vimal Elaichi’s campaign has been in controversies before Legal and regulatory questions have been raised on the advertisement of Vimal Elaichi: Notice in 2018: The Directorate General of Health Services had sent a notice to ‘Vishnu Pouch Packaging Private Limited’, a company promoting Vimal Elaichi, under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA, 2003). Company’s argument: The company told the court that it does not manufacture tobacco products under the brand name ‘Vimal’ in the domestic market. High Court’s decision in January 2024: Delhi High Court upheld the trial court’s order in which the company was allowed to advertise tobacco-free products. The court had said that unless there is a constitutional or legal restriction on a product, it is a company’s fundamental right to trade tobacco-free pan masala.
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Show cause notice to Shahrukh, Ajay Devgan and Tiger Shroff: Vimal cardamom advertisement considered as advertisement of pan masala, fine of ₹ 10 lakh possible
