Supreme Court observations on Patanjali Ayurved ads have no bearing on our business operations, financial performance: Patanjali Foods

Edible oil and food FMCG products company Patanjali Foods said on Tuesday that the Supreme Court's observations on Patanjali Ayurved's advertisements of its ayurvedic medicines have no bearing on its regular business operations and its financial performance. Patanjali Foods is an independent listed entity operating in the space of edible oil and food FMCG products only, the listed company said in a regulatory filing post-market hours. 

The statement from Patanjali Foods (formerly known as Ruchi Soya Industries), whose popular brands include Nutrela, Ruchi Gold, Sunlight and Sunrich, came after the apex court came down heavily on Patanjali Ayurved for prima facie violation of the undertaking given by it in court about its products, and about statements claiming their medicinal efficacy. 

"The observations of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India do not relate to Patanjali Foods Limited (PFL)," Patanjali Foods said. 

Earlier in the day, Patanjali Foods shares ended 1.2 per cent lower at Rs 1,620.2 apiece on BSE. 

The top court was hearing a plea of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) alleging a smear campaign by the yoga guru against the vaccination drive and modern medicines.

A bench of justices Hima Kohli and A Amanullah issued a notice to Patanjali Ayurved and its managing director asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them, and cautioned Patanjali Ayurved and its officers from making any statements adverse to any system of medicine in the media, both print and electronic, in any form.

The counsel representing the company had assured the top court, in November last year, that there would not be any violation of law, especially relating to advertising or branding of products, and no casual statements, claiming the medicinal efficacy of Patanjali products or against any system of medicine, will be released to the media in any form.

With inputs from agencies