FDA’s Tukaram Mundhe warns Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff could face Rs 10 lakh fine over elaichi ad: ‘Legal action may be taken’ | Hindi Movie News

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has said that Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff could face a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh if ​​their responses to recent show cause notices over an elaichi chewing advertisement prove unsatisfactory. The notices were issued after the FDA flagged the ad as a possible violation of food safety regulations.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe explains rules on substitute ads

Speaking to ANI, Tukaram Mundhe highlighted that there are strict rules against misleading advertising and said violations must have consequences.“We were watching and examining this. You can say this comes a little late, but better late than never. We are working and in fact there should be some impact. There are regulations for all those substitute, false and misleading advertisements… You cannot make substitute or misleading advertisements. There are restrictions on this and they are prohibited. Legal action can be taken,” he said.

What happens if the actors’ responses are not satisfactory?

When asked about the possible consequences for the three actors, Mundhe said the notices could lead to a financial penalty. “This carries a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh in the first stage,” he said.He added that if the actors’ responses are not satisfactory, new actions could be initiated under applicable food safety laws. “If we are still not satisfied, action will be taken as per the provisions of the FSSAI Act on prohibited items,” Mundhe said.

Why was there a delay in issuing the notices?

Answering questions about the timing of the notifications, Mundhe acknowledged that the action came later than it could have been, but defended the department’s decision to pursue the matter.He said the FDA had been watching and examining the problem and maintained that taking action, even at a later stage, was preferable to allowing potentially misleading advertising to go unchecked.

Details of notices issued to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff

The Maharashtra FDA had earlier issued notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their advertising of a brand of chewable elaichi, stating that it may violate the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and its amended rules.The ads, issued on Friday, August 14, asked the three actors to explain their role in the ad and their association with the brand.According to the FDA, the ad could constitute an indirect promotion of a brand primarily associated with pan masala. The notices were served to Ajay Devgn at his residence in Juhu, Shah Rukh Khan at Mannat in Bandra and Tiger Shroff through his production house, Tiger Shroff Productions LLP.

FDA’s Widest Crackdown on Pan Masala and Gutka

The action comes as part of the Maharashtra FDA’s intensified controls on gutka and pan masala products containing tobacco or nicotine. The regulator also referred to a state government order prohibiting the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of such products in Maharashtra for one year, starting July 13, 2026.The latest action is part of a broader enforcement campaign by the FDA across the state. The campaign has also included inspections and seizures related to adulterated milk, food safety violations in restaurants, junk food sold near schools and the sale of banned gutka and pan masala products with tobacco.