The controversy regarding the Indian Medical Association (IMA) endorsing products manufactured by private companies has put a hold on the organisation allowing its stamp to be used on more products in the near future.

IMA honorary joint secretary Dr Narendra Saini said that the procedure followed by the organisation to give recommendation to the products like Tropicana fruit juices and Dettol hand wash was fair and legal. He added that all the products IMA endorsed were first tested for the claims the companies make before recommending their use.

“The IMA gets the products tested in labs before giving the approval. We are so stuck with the present case that we do not plan to endorse any more products as of now,” said Dr Saini.

IMA, an association of doctors, gave its recommendation to the above mentioned products which was termed illegal by a whistle blower from Kerala. Complaints were later filed with the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the health ministry but the products continue to carry IMA’s logo on their packages and in the advertisements as well.