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This edition of Health360 examines surrogate advertising in India, highlighting the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration's notices to Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff regarding Vimal Elaichi promotions.
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00:00Hello and welcome. You're watching Health Free 60, your one-stop destination to all-news health, wellness and fitness.
00:08On the show this week, surrogate ads for tobacco has been in news.
00:12An artist promoting these brands are on the radar of Tukara Mundi, the Maharashtra Food Drugs Authority's Singham officer.
00:21Well, it got us delving deeper into the big loopholes that surrogate advertisers exploit.
00:28Also on the show this week, restaurants, dhabas, all of them under scanner of authorities raising many questions that we've
00:37been asking about what are we actually eating once we choose to order from outside or go to a restaurant.
00:45It's become a bit of a risky affair here.
00:48We give you an idea about what exactly you're putting into your body when you choose to eat outside.
00:54Much more lined up in our special monsoon health segment as well.
00:58Let's get started with this week's Health Free 60.
01:02I'm Seneha Murtani.
01:29Let's get started with this week.
01:32India has strict restrictions on advertising products such as alcohol and tobacco, but companies have found ways to keep their
01:40brands visible through what really is known as surrogate advertising.
01:45Very recently, brand ambassadors of certain surrogate products were under this scanner for promoting products that have a strong tobacco
01:54name link.
01:55Our report gives you a complete lowdown on surrogate advertisements and also tells you why surrogate ads started in India
02:03in the first place.
02:05Here's the complete story.
02:15Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration has warned Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgan and Tiger Shroff over their appearance
02:23in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement,
02:26alleging it amounts to surrogate advertising for Vimal Paan Masala, which is a tobacco product.
02:33The regulator has asked the actors to remove the ads from social media, stop appearing in further promotions and explain
02:40their endorsement deals within 15 days.
02:44So this brings us to this question.
02:47What really is surrogate advertising?
02:50Think of it.
02:51Vimal is actually strongly associated with Vimal Paan Masala,
02:56while the actors' advertisements supposedly promote the cardamom product, which is minus the tobacco.
03:03You're saying you're advertising cardamom, but people see the Vimal brand and think of Paan Masala.
03:11That is surrogate advertising and that's the problem here really.
03:15Have you ever seen an advertisement of a soda for example, mineral water, even a music CD,
03:20and thought, wait, isn't that actually an alcohol brand?
03:24That is the basic idea behind surrogate advertising.
03:29So the anatomy of a surrogate ad is what we're going to be explaining here.
03:34In India, alcohol companies can't openly advertise the liquor products on television.
03:39So instead of saying, buy a whiskey, a company might advertise another product using the same brand name, logo, color,
03:47slogan, celebrity.
03:49For example, Brand X soda.
03:51Sounds harmless, isn't it?
03:52But if Brand X is famous for whiskey, viewers may immediately think about the whiskey and not the soda.
03:59So technically, the advertisement is for soda,
04:02but psychologically, the brand is still being promoted.
04:06That whiskey is still getting promoted.
04:08And that's exactly what critics of surrogate advertising object to.
04:14The concern is that the company doesn't really need to show a bottle of alcohol.
04:19It can show a famous cricketer, a glamorous lifestyle, a catchy slogan, a party, a music adventure, and the brand
04:25name.
04:26The audience makes a connection by themselves.
04:30The argument here becomes particularly important when young people see these advertisements.
04:35They may not be legally allowed to buy alcohol.
04:38But they can still see the brand repeatedly on TV, social media, sports broadcasts, and events.
04:46The concern is that the brand becomes familiar and even associated with success, popularity, and a glamorous lifestyle.
04:54What was the need to sell these products in this fashion?
04:58This was not always how it was done.
05:00These ads that you see right now were a reality for all of us while we were growing up.
05:06Like the ad for any other product, tobacco and alcohol were openly advertised.
05:11But then came the whip from the government.
05:14In the year 2003, the government of India, through parliament, enacted the COTPA Act.
05:202003, the cigarettes and other tobacco products.
05:24Prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce.
05:28Production, Supply and Distribution Act.
05:30Banning the advertisement of tobacco.
05:33Way before that, in 1994, advertising of alcohol on television was prohibited under the cable television network rules.
05:42And this, like I said, since 1994.
05:46The rules were introduced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to prevent the promotion of liquor through television advertising.
05:54Coming back to surrogate ads, what does the government really say?
05:58So, the Union Health Ministry is not entirely unable to act against surrogate advertising.
06:04But the direct enforcement is heavily constrained by legal loopholes, jurisdictional divisions, judicial rulings, protecting non-tobacco, non-alcohol brand
06:15extensions.
06:16While central consumer authorities and state bodies have formal bans on surrogate ads,
06:21companies frequently exploit separate corporate entities or identical brand names for legal products,
06:28like Cardamom, Elaichi or Soda, to contest direct bans in court.
06:34And this has been happening forever.
06:36What really is deeply problematic is on how celebrities are promoting it.
06:41Last year, the Union Health Ministry wrote to IPL to ban surrogate ads for tobacco and alcohol,
06:47asking them to regulate tobacco and alcohol ads, including surrogate ads and product sales during the IPL season,
06:55putting this ad under scanner.
06:59The World Health Organization's position is as follows.
07:02They strictly oppose surrogate ads for tobacco and alcohol, classifying it as a deceptive marketing tactic
07:09designed to bypass national bans and promote harmful addictive products under the guise of proxy goods like
07:16mouth fresheners, club soda or music CDs.
07:20The scourge of tobacco and alcohol continues to take a devastating toll in India and outside,
07:26driving preventable deaths and diseases ranging from cancer and heart disease,
07:31liver, respiratory disorders, while placing a heavy burden on families, healthcare systems and the economy.
07:40And that is why the crackdown on surrogate ads becomes so important.
07:45And how does this really affect you?
07:47Well, you may see restricted brands without seeing the restricted product.
07:52Repeated exposure keeps the brand fresh in your mind.
07:56Celebrities can make these brands appear aspirational.
07:59Young audiences, many of them in rural India, may be particularly influenced.
08:05The ad can create positive associations with alcohol or tobacco.
08:08A harmless product may indirectly promote a restricted one.
08:12It can normalize brands linked to harmful products.
08:15The bottom line, what you see in its innocent ad, could be a clever form of brand promotion.
08:22And you must know this.
08:25We all love eating out, isn't it?
08:27The convenience, the variety, the flavors.
08:30But what exactly are we putting on our plates when we order from a restaurant?
08:35From excess oil, salt, sugar to oversized portions and repeated use of cooking oil,
08:42a seemingly harmless meal could come with a hidden health cost.
08:47But how unhealthy is restaurant food really?
08:50And are there simple ways to make smarter choices without giving up eating out?
08:56We take a closer look at what's really on your plate and the health risks you might just be overlooking.
09:09Rodents in the kitchens, tailed chicken, re-usable oil, quality of spices, hygiene.
09:20Rates and more scrutiny continues over restaurants.
09:28Even the popular ones bringing us to ask, what are we actually eating when we eat food from the outside?
09:35In this day and age, eating out is not a luxury.
09:39What is a luxury, according to me, is eating meals from home.
09:43Freshly prepared ghar ka khana.
09:46The good old ghar ka khana, which I think is one of the best things that you can do for
09:50your health.
09:51But the fact of the matter is that modern conveniences have made it just so simple to order food from
09:56the outside.
09:57Well, we are not asking you to not eat food from a restaurant.
10:01Well, I do it once in a while.
10:03But here's the catch.
10:04The catch word is once in a while.
10:07And when you fail to do it once in a while and avoid ghar ka khana altogether, that's when the
10:13problem starts.
10:16So, we really have to start with this disclaimer.
10:21All restaurant food is not bad.
10:24Not all restaurants are hygienic.
10:26But eating out mostly means an extra dose of oil, ghee or butter to make it more palatable and give
10:34that rich look.
10:36Certainly, high salt, way more than we ordinary eat, would eat at home.
10:42Ever felt thirsty after a heavy meal from the restaurant?
10:48That is excessive sodium.
10:50When sodium concentration increases, the brain activates thirst to restore balance.
10:56Feeling unusually thirsty after salty foods is a common sign of increased sodium intake.
11:02This may also lead to drinking large amounts of fluid in a short time.
11:06Further highlighting that your body is trying to correct this imbalance.
11:15Then defrying and yes, the quality of oil.
11:18That too is a big, big area of concern if you're eating out.
11:22Now, this video put out by a social media user has begged the answer to a question around reused oil
11:29in a popular restaurant in Bengaluru.
11:34Reusing oil again and again, every time oil is heated, especially at high temperatures, it undergoes chemical changes.
11:43Repeated heating can lead to the formation of oxidation products and other compounds that may affect food quality and even
11:51your health.
11:58Inevitably, we end up having more if you're eating in a restaurant.
12:02Refined carbs, white bread, maida, naan, pizza, basil, noodles, all of it.
12:07Hidden sugars, not just in desserts because that's not really hidden, but in other things like sauces and gravies that
12:14we don't know,
12:15but may have lots and lots of sugar.
12:19The urge to finish and not waste expensive restaurant food, shoving it down your throat.
12:25Deep frying, samosas, pakoras, fries, fried chicken, absorb substantial amounts of oil.
12:33Creamy sauces, butter chicken, malai dishes and creamy pasta can be very calorie dense.
12:38Then processed meats, some burgers, sausages and similar foods can be high in sodium and saturated fat.
12:46So if you think that the party in the burger is fresh meat that you've been given, you need to
12:51think again.
12:52And here's the important thing, you don't really need to stop eating restaurant food.
12:57If you eat restaurant food occasionally, while most of your diet consists of nutritious foods, freshly prepared at home,
13:04then you are on the right track.
13:07The biggest thing to watch is frequency.
13:10Once in a while, unhealthy meal, not a big deal, you're conscious of it.
13:14Unhealthy restaurant food most days, potentially a significant problem over time.
13:20And you don't have to choose only healthy restaurants.
13:23You can make a normal restaurant meal much better simply by choosing less fried food,
13:28controlling the portion, getting vegetables, proteins in and choosing water instead of a sugary drink.
13:36The monsoon is here and it's not just the weather that is changing.
13:41With the rains come viruses, infections and a whole new set of health concerns.
13:46Red irritated eyes, fever and flu.
13:49The growing body around H1N1.
13:52And when contaminated food and water enter the picture, your gut could be the next casualty.
13:58So, how prepared are you for the monsoon health season?
14:02Should you be thinking about a flu vaccine?
14:04How do you protect yourself from iFlu?
14:06And what can you do to keep your tummy healthy while infectious diseases are all around?
14:13So, today, let's bring in our monsoon health playbook.
14:18What to watch out for, what to prevent and when a seasonal illness needs medical attention.
14:24In India, it's seeing increased H1N1 seasonal influenza activity,
14:29particularly in Delhi and some other cities during the monsoon.
14:32But it is important to distinguish a rise in cases from a nationwide outbreak.
14:39What's really happening now?
14:40Delhi, we know, is the clearest current hotspot.
14:43The National Center for Disease Control data cited reports that indicate Delhi having about H1N1 reported cases
14:51as of the 1st and the 2nd week of August, compared with 229 during the same period last year,
15:00which means there is a six-fold increase.
15:02Doctors are reporting more patients with fever, coughs, sore throat, body ache and fatigue.
15:08Influenza infections are mild, but some can progress through pneumonia or respiratory complications.
15:14A Bengaluru has seen a significant flu-like illness.
15:17At Clarence-sized school, more than 500 students and 21 staff members have flu-like symptoms.
15:23The school is closed down for the time being.
15:28H1N1 is a seasonal influenza virus.
15:31Rather than the pandemic virus, it was way back in 2009.
15:36Influenza transmission can increase during particular season conditions and that is what we are seeing.
15:42So we are bringing in our experts right here.
15:44Dr. Suranji Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprasth Apollo Hospital in Delhi with us.
15:51Thank you so much for your time.
15:53Doctor, how do you distinguish Dr. H1N1 from an ordinary viral fever?
15:59Like most of the viral respiratory diseases would behave in the same way.
16:03They will have fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, headache as a symptom.
16:09So it's difficult to differentiate between them.
16:12So you go by the number of cases that is happening in your area.
16:15If like swine flu cases, numbers are high or COVID numbers are high,
16:20then you start suspecting these cases and investigating for them.
16:24Because symptom wise, mostly they will have cough, sore throat, fever, headache and body ache.
16:31Is it time to get the flu vaccine now?
16:34Because most people don't take it, doctor.
16:36And who should be taking it?
16:37For sure people should take the flu vaccination.
16:40Because it does cover against the influenza viruses.
16:43It is an ideal thing to do.
16:44And one of the reasons why I think the numbers are higher,
16:47because our influenza or the flu vaccine coverage is poorer.
16:52So if we increase the percentage of vaccination and more people get vaccinated,
16:57it is possible that the number of swine flu cases might reduce
17:01or at least the severity and intensity of the infection might reduce.
17:07The big question, when does this fever or cough require testing or even hospitalization?
17:15Is it possible that the number of people are suffering from swine flu and a few people
17:22are also suffering from COVID-19 in Delhi right now?
17:25So with cough, fever, headache, body ache as symptoms,
17:29it's not a bad idea that if the symptoms persist to get checked by your doctor
17:34and maybe investigated, because then you know how it is going to behave in the next couple
17:39of days and also the antiviral medication, Oseltamivirid, if it is given early,
17:46it has had some benefit in whosoever you're using.
17:49But if it is given late, it doesn't make much sense.
17:51So it's not a bad idea that if there is a suspicion by your treating physician or pediatrician
17:57that there could be swine flu, it could be tested and it can be treated accordingly
18:02in the vulnerable age group.
18:05Dr. Sanjay K. Jain is a pediatrician with the McCure Hospital
18:09and I'm going to welcome him also to this broadcast.
18:12Dr. What's your take on this?
18:14The sharp increase in H1N1 cases that we are seeing this year.
18:18Why is this happening?
18:19So flu coaches usually increases when the weather is changing
18:23and people are also spending more time in crowded places like in schools, office, malls, transport.
18:28So the infection is spread from one to other person.
18:31And also nowadays people are more aware and testing is more common.
18:35So we are picking up more cases.
18:37But we should remember that every fever and cough is not an H1N1.
18:41Many other viral infections can also give similar kind of symptoms.
18:44And who then is most vulnerable to severe disease here?
18:47Basically, we should be more careful with the small children, elderly people and the pregnant women.
18:53People with asthma, other diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease.
19:01We community, they are also at the higher risk.
19:03So for those patients, it's better to consult a doctor early rather than waiting for the condition to become serious.
19:09Dr. Can H1N1 and dengue occur together?
19:13And how can people really tell them apart?
19:16So yes, both dengue and flu can cause fever, headache, weakness and body ache.
19:21So sometimes it's difficult to tell them apart.
19:24In flu, we usually see more cough, soreness, sore throat, cold-like symptoms.
19:29But in dengue, it's more of generalized symptoms like a severe body pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, vomiting, stomach
19:36pain, rashes and sometimes bleeding also.
19:38If the fever is continuous or the patient is growing worsen, the blood test may be redid.
19:43And one more important thing is there, if dengue is suspected, do not take aspirin or iuprofen by your own
19:49because that can increase the risk of bleeding also.
19:54Shifting focus now and as the monsoon sets in, iFlu is also making its presence felt.
20:00Red watery rated eyes may seem like a minor seasonal nuisance, but conjunctivitis can spread very quickly.
20:07So what are the warning signs and how contagious is this?
20:10What should you do if you catch it?
20:13Here's more.
20:19Ranbir Kapoor recently suffered from conjunctivitis, also known as the pink eye, ahead of a swim launch, drawing attention to
20:27an eye infection that actually becomes more common during the monsoon season.
20:32The rainy season actually creates idle conditions of viruses and bacteria to thrive, while increased humidity, stagnant water, poor hand
20:40hygiene and frequent eye rubbing make it easier for infections to spread.
20:46According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious, making outbreaks more common during the
20:56season when infections spread rapidly.
20:58Red eyes, itching, swelling and constant watering, many people are waking up with these symptoms during the monsoon season.
21:06Doctors say this is the iFlu.
21:09It increases during the rainy season because humidity, water contamination and close contact make it easier for all viruses to
21:17spread, this being no different.
21:20It may start with just mild irritation.
21:23Within hours, eyes can become red swollen, things can get uncomfortable.
21:27So, I bring in our eye doctor today.
21:30Dr. Purendra Basin is with us.
21:32Doctor, why do iFlu cases increase during this season?
21:36iFlu is the kind of infection which is present during this wet and humid weather.
21:43And viruses, they propagate during this weather.
21:46And if someone is carrying or harboring the infection, it is very common that others can also catch it very
21:54fast.
21:54So, it is very, very contagious and this weather is very favorable for the viruses to grow.
22:02So, the infection usually affects the outer layer of the eye causing inflammation known as conjunctivitis.
22:09Dr. Basin, how can people differentiate between normal eye irritation and an infection that needs medical attention?
22:16At the end of the day, it's our eye, isn't it?
22:19iFlu, the signs and symptoms are very different.
22:23The eye becomes red and there is a swelling, there is a lot of grittiness, watering is there from the
22:30eye and some discharge might also come.
22:33And you may find that there is a blurring of vision and a person becomes very uncomfortable because of this
22:39iFlu.
22:40Doctor, tell us what the warning signs of this could be, of conjunctivitis could be.
22:45A warning sign will be that you will find, initially you will find some discomfort in the eye and some
22:52pinkishness or development of redness in the eye and grittiness in foreign bodies.
22:58So, when the vessels start engorging and thickening of the vessels is there.
23:04Secondly, you will find that there is some discharges also coming along with.
23:10One of the biggest mistakes, doctor, that people make is rubbing or touching their eyes again and again and that
23:16only worsens things, isn't it?
23:18If you rub your eye, which is already, your hand is already contaminated from touching the surface or the handles
23:27or anything.
23:28So, you can bring that infection and leave it into your eye.
23:34So, it's better not to rub your eyes.
23:37I also want to ask you, eye drops are available in the market.
23:41Many people are quick to buy it over the counter and use it.
23:44But that really isn't the best thing to do.
23:46Unless until you have got it checked by an ophthalmologist, you should not use it.
23:50I will not suggest.
23:51Maybe some lubricant drop you can use safely.
23:55That is possible.
23:57But one should avoid using the over-the-counter drops and over-the-counter or the drops which are casually
24:05present at home due to some reason.
24:07So, here's what you need to know.
24:10Most cases improve with proper care, but prevention remains the best protection.
24:15Now, during the monsoon, keeping your hands clean.
24:17Never underestimate the power of washing your hands again and again and avoiding close contact with someone who has an
24:25active eye infection can reduce your risk.
24:30So, from the eyes to focus on your tummy.
24:33Monsoon, as we know, is the perfect time for your tummy to get upset.
24:37And here is the science behind why certain food items should be avoided.
24:42Absolutely not taken during this time.
24:45Here really is the entire list of the food items that you must not be consuming for various reasons during
24:52the monsoon season.
24:53Because the fear of bacterial contamination is extremely high.
24:58So, I bring in our gut health expert here to tell us a little about doctor.
25:04The foods to avoid, foods to limit and not take during the monsoon season.
25:10What would that be and why?
25:12Tell us more.
25:12See, during monsoon, what happens is that the humidity level goes up.
25:19So, there is a contamination of the food particles and also because of the monsoon, there is the food articles,
25:30water-borne diseases, they increase.
25:33Try to eat food which is, you know, prepared fresh at your home and avoid food eating outside.
25:38Which of the foods, doctor, that help boost immunity and are there such foods at all that naturally support, you
25:46know, your gut health during the monsoon season, doctor?
25:50See, the food items like citrus fruits or for that matter, any fruits you take, they are high in antioxidants
26:04and you should consume a lot of citrus foods and overall whole fruits and you can also eat ginger, garlic,
26:16which, you know, and turmeric, which has high antimicrobial activity.
26:21Generally, curd or buttermilk, they have, or yogurt, they have high amount of probiotics, those are the good bacterias.
26:34If you consume these products on a regular basis, they will boost up your gut immunity and gut health.
26:43Here is what you must know and this really is a monsoon tip for you.
26:48Well, food hygiene is just as important as the food itself.
26:52You must choose freshly cooked, thoroughly washed and properly stored foods during this time wherein the risk of contamination is
27:01actually the highest.
27:03Well, that report brings us to the end of this edition of Healthy 60.
27:06We certainly hope you enjoyed watching the show as much as we did putting it together for you.
27:11You can find these reports up on India Today's social media platforms.
27:15That's YouTube, Instagram, Twitter or X and Facebook and it's going up on India Today's website, indiatoday.in as well.
27:23Until next time, take very good care of yourself.
27:26Bye for now.
27:27Bye for now.
27:29Bye for now.
27:30Bye for now.
27:39Bye for now.
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