NEW DELHI: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a research and advocacy organisation, has requested Indian tennis star Sania Mirza to not feature in a poultry advertisement.
CSE has welcomed the decision by Advertisement Standards Council of India (ASCI) to declare the advertisement as “misleading” by facts, exaggeration and ambiguity.
“Earlier, we had written to Mirza apprising her about the malpractice of antibiotic misuse in poultry sector and the libelous nature of the advertisement. As a responsible role model, we urged her to publicly disassociate herself from the advertisement. We once again ask her to consider doing so,” Amit Khurana, senior programme manager, food safety and toxins, CSE, told PTI.
The CSE believes that the advertisement “falsely” claimed the poultry sector is not “misusing” antibiotics. The results of a 2014 study on the antibiotics residues in chicken have also been “misused and misrepresented”.
“ASCI says by mentioning the CSE study results, the advertisement contravened the code on truthful and honest representation,” Khurana added.
The ASCI has reportedly instructed the All India Poultry Development and Services Private Limited to withdraw or modify the advertisement by May 23.
