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Indian Medical Association Endorses Pepsi's Tropicana
Times News Network
May 8, 2008
NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry has taken strong objection to
Indian Medical Association's move to endorse PepsiCo's Tropicana pure
juices and Quaker Oats.
Speaking to TOI, Union health minister A Ramadoss said IMA should
focus more on irrational use of drugs and blood products rather than
endorse Dettol and juices.
"At present, two third of all deaths in India are being caused by
tobacco, alcohol and junk food. IMA should join hands with the ministry
in halting such trends. IMA should think about organizing more continuing
medical education sessions and help the ministry organize activities
against TB and malaria, rather than endorse commercial brands," Ramadoss
said.
IMA has also received brickbats from director of the Centre for Science
and Environment (CSE), Sunita Narain, who said it was very wrong on
the part of IMA to have endorsed a particular brand of fruit juice.
"If I have to watch a Pepsi advertisement, I'd rather watch film stars
Aamir Khan than some doctor. At least I know why he is modelling,"
she said.
According to sources, Pepsico's India affiliate has entered into a
three-year deal with IMA under which the association that represents
1,76,000 doctors is endorsing the Tropicana brand of fruit juices
and the Quaker Oats brand.
IMA's past president, Ajay Kumar, has said Tropicana juices and Quaker
Oats have scientifically proven health benefits. These benefits, Narain
said, were advertising tricks.
IMA sources said that in return of the endorsement, IMA received Rs
50 lakh which will be used by the association in organizing its activities,
conferences and seminars.
"Earlier, IMA endorsed other brands like Eureka Forbes for which we
received Rs 3 crore. IMA has also passed a deal with Hindustan Lever
to endorse a sanitary napkin brand. A deal with Dabur is also being
finalized," an IMA source added.
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