FDA Sends Notice to Bollywood Stars Over Vimal Elaichi Ad
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India's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent a notice to Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff.
The notice is about an advertisement for a product called Vimal chewing elaichi. Elaichi means cardamom, a spice often used in India.
Tukaram Mundhe, an FDA official, asked the actors to explain the ad within 15 days.
This is not the first time such a notice has been sent. Actor Akshay Kumar had earlier promoted the same product.
Kumar later quit the ad after facing strong backlash from the public.
Many people criticised celebrities for promoting chewing elaichi products, saying they could encourage unhealthy habits, especially among young people.
Some products in this category have been linked to tobacco use in the past, which has made such endorsements controversial.
The FDA's action shows that authorities are taking a closer look at celebrity endorsements of these products.
It is not yet clear how Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn or Tiger Shroff will respond to the notice.
The case has drawn attention because all three actors are extremely popular and appear in many advertisements across India.
Observers say the notice could put more pressure on other celebrities who endorse similar products to reconsider their choices.
For now, the actors have 15 days to give their explanation to the FDA.
Vocabulary6 words
- notice
- an official letter asking for information or action
- advertisement
- a message used to sell a product
- quit
- to stop doing something
- backlash
- strong negative reaction from many people
- endorsement
- when a famous person supports a product publicly
- explanation
- reasons given for an action
Quiz
Answer key
1. The FDA 2. He faced public backlash 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
India's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent a _____ to Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff.
The notice is about an _____ for a product called Vimal chewing elaichi.
Tukaram Mundhe, an FDA official, asked the actors to explain the ad within _____ days.
Actor Akshay Kumar had earlier promoted the same _____.
Kumar later _____ the ad after facing strong backlash from the public.
Many people criticised celebrities for promoting chewing elaichi products, saying they could encourage _____ habits.
Some products in this category have been linked to _____ use in the past.
The FDA's action shows that authorities are taking a closer look at celebrity _____ of these products.
For now, the actors have 15 days to give their _____ to the FDA.