In a letter dated February 13 to the association, the company said its intent was not to hurt anyone or undervalue the benefits of vegetarian food.
Mankind shared epidemiological studies done by independent doctors and researchers indicating deficiency of essential vitamins in the Indian population. It urged the AIOCD to allow continuation of the advertisement in the greater interest and benefit of Indian citizens.
A majority of the Indian population is deficient in Vitamin D and Vitamin B12, with ample evidence being seen specifically in women and the elderly population, it said, adding: “Mankind Pharma is only suggesting an utterly vegetarian food supplement for vegetarian Indian citizens to take good care of their health.”
The retailers’ body claimed that the advertisement was “misleading” and contradicted widely accepted health benefits of vegetarianism.
Mankind said it valued and appreciates individual food choices entirely. The company said it never intended to undermine the individual food choices or alter them, but only sought to offer an admissible vegetarian alternative.According to the campaign, one in every three Indians is vegetarian and that vegetarians are prone to vitamin deficiency. The HealthOK multivitamin tablets can fulfil nutritional deficiencies and provide an added benefit of staying energetic due to the presence of antifatigue taurine and ginseng in the product, it claimed.
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