ITC to file third FIR against 'Aashirvaad Atta' malicious videos
FMCG major ITC on Friday said it would file another FIR in Delhi, the third in the country, against circulation of videos which claimed the presence of plastic in 'Aashirvaad Atta'. It has already filed FIRs in Kolkata and Hyderabad. "We are now in the process to file another FIR in Delhi in coming few days," said ITC Divisional Chief Executive (Foods) Hemant Malik.
The matter is already under investigation of cyber cell
Even though the matter is under investigation by cyber cells of police in the respective states, some new names have cropped up, necessitating another complaint in the case, the ITC official added. Hemant Malik said the first video claiming the presence of plastic appeared in July 2017 and was telecast on a local TV channel in Siliguri, West Bengal.
What was being called plastic is actually wheat protein: Malik
"We immediately contacted the channel, and they withdrew it. Later, some more channels played it in some other parts of the country. Then we moved Bengaluru Civil Court, restraining anyone from circulating any such videos," Malik added. Claiming that "Aashirvaad Atta" is fully safe for consumption, he said what was being called plastic was actually the wheat protein, an integral component of wheat.
The fake videos are being circulated from February 2018
"Even FSSAI mandates that wheat flour should contain a minimum of six percent gluten, which is wheat protein, on a dry weight basis. Indian wheat typically has 9-10% gluten. We urge our consumers not to be misled by false and malicious videos," Malik added. He also said the latest round of fake videos is being circulated in social media from February this year.
