Lately, the news is giving me the feeling that we are slowly but inevitably heading towards the Mad Max universe: It’s all very exciting but nothing makes sense (also, monster trucks).

It started with the recall of a batch of Maggi noodles, and now it’s come to first information reports (FIRs) being filed. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) in Uttar Pradesh ordered Nestle India to recall a batch of Maggi noodles across shops in the state because it found high levels of lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) in two dozen packets during routine tests. Other states followed and some are contemplating taking action against Nestle. The FSDA commissioner has given permission to file a case against the company.

But it didn’t stop at that. Celebrities who endorsed the product also found themselves in the crosshairs. A Bihar court ordered the police to file an FIR against Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta for promoting the brand. The police were also ordered to arrest them if required. According to Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, everyone associated with the ad is liable for action under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). He also pointed to the fact that the government is currently working on a new law with a provision of life imprisonment to deal with cases in which consumers of essential commodities and food items are duped.

Here’s how twitter reacted to these developments.

Meanwhile, Dixit tweeted that she met the manufacturers and they assured her that there would be no compromise on the quality of the product.

“Like most of India, I have enjoyed Maggi Noodles for years. I was very concerned after recent reports and met with the Nestle team. They explained that they always place the consumer first and have the highest quality standards. They have reassured me that they adhere to stringent testing for quality and safety and are working with the authorities closely,” she tweeted.

The manufacturer is responsible for its products. There are regulators across sectors that monitor all kinds of products and services. If one was to extend the liability and responsibility of products and services, where does it stop?  What about the television channels (news and entertainment) that run these ads for payment? Are they to be held responsible for the product too? What about the others who appear in the ads with the celebrities? Are the other models who are also endorsing and enticing us to buy the product or service liable? The mummy in the video and the kids who are so greedily slurping noodles? What about the man who designed the set? The director of the ad? The writer?

Deepika Padukone endorses Axis Bank. What if Axis Bank runs into some regulatory issues? Even fund managers and bankers don’t understand much of banking and finance, would a celebrity endorser? Imagine if HSBC was being endorsed by an Indian celebrity? Would he or she be in trouble for assisting money laundering or black money routing after reports such as this surface?

If Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta can be held liable for endorsing an “unhealthy” and now declared “unsafe” product, what about these guys? Should they be blamed too?

(With inputs from Nirmolika Sangha).