Ajay Devgn challenges FDA notice over pan masala endorsement in high court

Actor Ajay Devgn approached the Bombay High Court on Monday seeking relief from a Food and Drug Administration notice connected to his endorsement of a pan masala product. In his petition, Devgn challenged the constitutional basis of regulatory action targeting celebrity endorsers in advertising disputes.

The actor's legal team argued that enforcement action should be directed primarily at manufacturing companies rather than public figures who lend their names to branded products. The petition raises questions about the scope and applicability of FDA regulations as they pertain to celebrity endorsements in the consumer goods sector.

The case highlights an ongoing tension in India's regulatory framework between holding companies accountable for product safety and quality standards versus the liability of actors and public figures who promote such goods. The high court's examination of these issues could have broader implications for the advertising and celebrity endorsement industry.

Devgn's legal challenge is expected to be heard in the coming weeks, with the court likely to examine whether current FDA protocols adequately distinguish between the responsibilities of manufacturers and those of endorsers in violation cases.