Actor Bipasha Basu has raised concerns over the quality of a protein powder after claiming that she discovered tiny worm-like particles inside a freshly opened jar.
Bipasha shared a video on her Instagram Stories in which she appeared to show a small worm on her finger. She also tagged Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, urging authorities to look into the matter.
In the post, Bipasha appealed to Mundhe for intervention, saying consumers should not have to worry about purchasing contaminated or adulterated products.
Bipasha shows what she claims are worms
In the video, Bipasha identified the product as Isopure and said the newly opened container appeared to contain several tiny worms.
She held one of the alleged worms up to the camera and said she had found multiple such organisms in the jar.
The actor's claim has not yet been independently verified, and it is not clear from the video what the particles were or how they came to be inside the container.
Post comes amid Maharashtra food safety drive
Bipasha's complaint comes at a time when food safety has received increased attention in Maharashtra.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has been leading inspections of restaurants, hotels and other food establishments in Mumbai and different parts of the state. Authorities have also taken action in cases involving alleged food adulteration and violations, including those concerning commonly consumed products such as milk and paneer.
Several establishments have reportedly faced action, including suspension of licences, as part of the ongoing enforcement drive.
Bollywood voices support for Mundhe
Mundhe's food safety campaign has also drawn attention from members of the film industry.
Actor Preity Zinta recently appeared in Mumbai wearing a T-shirt carrying the words “Team Tukaram Mundhe”, which was seen as a show of support for the official's campaign.
Author and actor Twinkle Khanna had also commented on the public attention surrounding Mundhe's inspections. She questioned whether it had become unusual for a government official to simply perform his duties effectively.
Bipasha Basu's latest post has now added another celebrity voice to the ongoing conversation around food quality and consumer safety in Maharashtra.
The allegations regarding the protein powder jar, however, would require examination by the relevant authorities to establish whether contamination actually occurred and, if so, determine its cause.