Are Celeb Ambassadors to blame for poor product quality? #MaggiBan

It’s not the first time that there has been a huge recent outcry over brand ambassadors and the ‘increased reasonability’ they should take up. The latest has been about the overt lead and MSG content found in Nestlé’s Maggi noodles and the stars involved in its advertisements.

Bollywood biggies Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preiti Zinta have cases filed against them under Indian Penal Code Sections 270 (act likely to spread dangerous disease), 273 (sale of toxic food or drinks), 276 (sale of drug as a different mixture) and 420 (cheating).

Madhuri recently tweeted:

Nestle has reassured me that they adhere to stringent testing for quality and safety and are working with the authorities closely.

— Madhuri Dixit-Nene (@MadhuriDixit) May 30, 2015

While Preiti Zinta protested saying:

Reading the news about me being sued for doing the Maggie commercial over 12 years ago ? 12 years ago ? How does that happen ?

— Preity zinta (@realpreityzinta) June 3, 2015

Most industry experts are united that brand ambassadors should go scot free.

“If anyone’s accountable it’s the directors and executives of the company. No ambassador has the ability to do industrial research on products they endorse”, Arvind Singhal, Chairman at Management Consulting firm Technopak observes.

Would this scare celebrities off liquor ads passed off as soda, pan masala, or anything that might get them into trouble?

“It actually varies person to person. These brands are sold legally and allowed to advertise. It may be a beverage to someone, and it’s their choice. Any tobacco advertising and direct alcohol advertising are not allowed anyway. After this, if anyone declines to star in a fairness cream ad saying they have moral issues, we should respect that,” Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman and Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather India and South Asia says.

Maggi noodles has been hauled for higher Lead and MSG content. Lead concentration above the prescribed limit of 2.5 ppm may lead to anemia, abdominal ache and heart palpitation. Long term effects include permanent damage to organs.

(Picture credit: Indiatimes)