Advertisers/ advertising agencies issuing ads for products and services related to food and health sectors henceforth must upload an annual self-declaration certificate on the portal (new.broadcastseva.gov.in), said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in an advisory issued yesterday (July 3, 2024).

This is in line with the recent Supreme Court ruling. The apex court recently mandated that all advertisements related to the food and health sectors must be accompanied by a self-declaration certificate before being aired, printed, or displayed. This directive, issued on May 7, 2024, underlines the enforcement of the fundamental right to health and ensures that consumers are made aware of the quality of products offered for sale.

“It is clarified that it shall be the responsibility of the advertisers/ advertising agencies to ensure that every advertisement being issued by them is in adherence to the applicable Indian laws, rules and regulations in letter and spirit,” said the ministry advisory.

The Supreme Court’s directive requires advertisers and advertising agencies to submit a self-declaration in line with Rule 7 of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994. These self-declarations must be uploaded on the Broadcast Seva Portal for TV and Radio advertisements, and on the Press Council of India (PCI) portal for print media and internet advertisements. Advertisers must provide proof of this upload to the respective media stakeholders before the advertisements are issued.

No advertisement related to food and health sectors will be permitted on TV channels, print media, or the internet without the required self-declaration. Advertisers and advertising agencies are responsible for ensuring their advertisements comply with all applicable Indian laws, rules, and regulations.

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