Patanjali Ayurved Limited has been embroiled in a controversy again, this time it is regarding the alleged “misbranding” of its dental care product. According to a report by Bar and Bench, the Delhi High Court has demanded a response from the company, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the government over a petition saying that Patanjali’s toothpaste displayed a “vegetarian” mark but contained a fish-derived compound.
Petitioner Yatin Sharma said that “Divya Dant Manjan” packaging has a green dot mark, an indicator of vegetarian status, containing “Samudraphen”, a fish-derived compound.
Patanjali ad case: ‘Supreme Court expresses disappointment over IMA’s ‘Minuscule’ apology
The petitioner said it was a “misbranding” by the company under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act.
Sharma, represented by advocates Swapnil Chaudhary and Prashant Gupta said the discovery was “distressing” for him and his family, as their family adheres to a strict vegetarian diet due to religious belief.
SC drops contempt of court charges against Patanjali, Baba Ramdev, Balkrishna
The latest case against Patanjali comes after the Supreme Court closed the contempt proceedings against the Ayurvedic company, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna. The Indian Medical Association had filed a case against Patanjali saying the company crossed a red line by claiming his medicine could cure Covid-19 and maligned modern medicine by calling it a “stupid and bankrupt science”.
However, last month, the apex court accepted an unqualified apology from Patanjali and its representatives. The Supreme Court shut the contempt case but warned the company against future violations.