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Rachel V Thomas

Indian President Urges Celebrities to Stop Endorsing Health-Harming Products: Why It Matters

<span>President Droupadi Murmu</span> has urged popular film artists not to endorse products that are harmful to health, highlighting their influence on children and young people.

Speaking at the 72nd <span>National Film Awards</span> in Kevadia, Gujarat, the President said successful film artists can influence the choices and habits of millions of young people.

“When successful film artists speak about the benefits of a disciplined lifestyle, millions of children and young people emulate them,” she said.

“I would like to request that popular artists refrain from endorsing substances that are harmful to health,” she added, saying that “a true star is one who spreads light, not darkness”.

<h2>Doctors Back President’s Message</h2>

The President’s remarks come amid concerns over the influence of celebrity and <span>influencer marketing on health choices</span>, particularly among younger audiences.

Dr Ambrish Mithal, Chairman, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Max HealthCare, welcomed the message.

“There could not be a better message than this- many thanks to our President for saying it out clearly. The impact of such advertising on the minds of the youth is huge. I hope her appeal makes our film stars and sportspersons realise the harm they could be causing. At the same time, discouraging the sale of such products by deterrents for manufacturers and advertisers is much needed,” he said in a post on X.

The issue has also come into focus amid controversies over celebrity endorsements of ultra-processed foods and pan masala-linked products. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their appearance in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement.

The concerns extend beyond pan masala-linked products to foods and beverages high in fat, salt and sugar, particularly those marketed to children and families.

In August, a group of doctors, medical scientists and public health experts brought together by Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest-India (NAPi) urged the government to restrict advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), as well as ultra-processed foods.

In a representation to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, the experts called for restrictions on HFSS and ultra-processed food advertising between 6 am and 11 pm across television, print, digital, streaming and social media.

They also sought mandatory front-of-pack warning labels identifying products high in sugar, salt or fat, along with restrictions on marketing practices aimed at children and families.

<h2>India’s Overweight, Obesity Burden Rises</h2>

The calls for tighter scrutiny of food marketing come amid rising overweight and obesity levels among Indian adults.

According to NFHS-6 (2023-24), 30.7% of women and 27.3% of men aged 15-49 years were overweight or obese, up from 24% and 22.9%, respectively, in NFHS-5 (2019-21).

NFHS-6 also recorded an increase in high or very high blood sugar, or the use of medication to control blood sugar, among adults aged 15 years and above. The proportion rose from 13.5% to 17.8% among women and from 15.6% to 20.9% among men between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6.

Data from World Obesity Atlas, more than 41 million children aged 5 to 19 in India suffer from high BMI (including 14 million living strictly with obesity). 

<h2><span rel="noindex">FSSAI</span> Warns Influencers Over Food Claims</h2>

Adding to the scrutiny around food marketing, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) last month cautioned celebrities and social media influencers against promoting misleading or unverified food claims.

FSSAI has warned that promoting misleading or unverified food claims can attract legal consequences.

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President Droupadi Murmu has urged popular film artists not to endorse products that are harmful to health, highlighting their influence on children and young people.Speaking at the 72nd National Film Awards in Kevadia, Gujarat, the President said successful film artists can influence the choices and habits of millions of young people.“When successful film artists speak about the benefits of a disciplined lifestyle, millions of children and young people emulate them,” she said.“I would like to request that popular artists refrain from endorsing substances that are harmful to health,” she added, saying that “a true star is one who spreads light, not darkness”.Doctors Back President’s MessageThe President’s remarks come amid concerns over the influence of celebrity and influencer marketing on health choices, particularly among younger audiences.Dr Ambrish Mithal, Chairman, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Max HealthCare, welcomed the message.“There could not be a better message than this- many thanks to our President for saying it out clearly. The impact of such advertising on the minds of the youth is huge. I hope her appeal makes our film stars and sportspersons realise the harm they could be causing. At the same time, discouraging the sale of such products by deterrents for manufacturers and advertisers is much needed,” he said in a post on X.The issue has also come into focus amid controversies over celebrity endorsements of ultra-processed foods and pan masala-linked products. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their appearance in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement.Doctors Seek Curbs On Junk Food AdsThe concerns extend beyond pan masala-linked products to foods and beverages high in fat, salt and sugar, particularly those marketed to children and families.In August, a group of doctors, medical scientists and public health experts brought together by Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest-India (NAPi) urged the government to restrict advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), as well as ultra-processed foods.In a representation to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, the experts called for restrictions on HFSS and ultra-processed food advertising between 6 am and 11 pm across television, print, digital, streaming and social media.They also sought mandatory front-of-pack warning labels identifying products high in sugar, salt or fat, along with restrictions on marketing practices aimed at children and families.India’s Overweight, Obesity Burden RisesThe calls for tighter scrutiny of food marketing come amid rising overweight and obesity levels among Indian adults.According to NFHS-6 (2023-24), 30.7% of women and 27.3% of men aged 15-49 years were overweight or obese, up from 24% and 22.9%, respectively, in NFHS-5 (2019-21).NFHS-6 also recorded an increase in high or very high blood sugar, or the use of medication to control blood sugar, among adults aged 15 years and above. The proportion rose from 13.5% to 17.8% among women and from 15.6% to 20.9% among men between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6.Data from World Obesity Atlas, more than 41 million children aged 5 to 19 in India suffer from high BMI (including 14 million living strictly with obesity). FSSAI Warns Influencers Over Food ClaimsAdding to the scrutiny around food marketing, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) last month cautioned celebrities and social media influencers against promoting misleading or unverified food claims.FSSAI has warned that promoting misleading or unverified food claims can attract legal consequences.

indian president urges celebrities to stop endorsing health-harming products: why it matters

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