Dulquer Salmaan Served Notice Over Alleged Food Poisoning Linked to Rice Brand Endorsement
The Kerala Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has issued a notice to actor Dulquer Salmaan, brand ambassador of Rose Brand Biryani Rice, over a complaint alleging that the product caused food poisoning at a wedding in Pathanamthitta district.
The Pathanamthitta Consumer Commission directed Salmaan to appear before it on December 3, following a petition filed by P. N. Jayarajan, a local caterer. In his complaint, Jayarajan claimed that a 50-kg bag of Rose Brand Biryani Rice, purchased for a wedding event, lacked both a manufacture date and an expiry date on its packaging.
According to the complaint, several guests who consumed the biryani made from the rice later suffered symptoms of food poisoning, leading to panic and disruption during the event. The incident allegedly damaged the reputation of Jayarajan’s catering business, causing a loss of future wedding bookings.
The petitioner further stated that he chose to purchase the rice because of advertisements featuring Dulquer Salmaan, which portrayed the brand as a high-quality, trusted product.
The commission has named three parties as respondents in the case —
The Managing Director of Rose Brand Biryani Rice,
The Manager of Malabar Biryani and Spices, the Pathanamthitta outlet from where the rice was purchased, and
Dulquer Salmaan, the brand’s celebrity ambassador.
All three have been directed to appear before the commission on the scheduled date.
The complainant is seeking ₹5 lakh in compensation for damages to his business reputation, along with ₹10,250 (the cost of the rice) and additional court expenses.
The consumer commission has taken cognisance of the complaint and will hear the case to determine accountability. Meanwhile, neither Dulquer Salmaan nor representatives of Rose Brand Biryani Rice have issued any public statement regarding the allegations.
