'Big Bang's' Kunal Nayyar Promotes 'Cruelty Free' Cosmetic Testing

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“The Big Bang Theory” star Kunal Nayyar teamed up with Cruelty Free International to campaign for a ban against cosmetic testing on animals in the United States. Countless animals in America are still suffering each year in unnecessary, outdated, and cruel tests for the cosmetics industry.

“I am delighted to join the Cruelty Free International campaign to end the use of animals for cosmetics tests around the world. I am proud that in England, where I was born, and in India, where I grew up and have lived for many years, animal testing for cosmetics has already been banned. The U.S now has the opportunity to follow suit and I urge everyone to get behind the Humane Cosmetics Act,” said Kunal who plays the awkward scientist Raj Koothrappali, on the popular hit show The Big Bang Theory.

Kunal joined other celebrities who are also voicing their support for Cruelty Free International, such as castmate Mayim Bialik, Sir Paul McCartney, Ricky Gervais, Norman Reedus, Peter Dinklage and Ashley Bell, along with a number of cruelty-free cosmetics companies.

The Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 4148) was introduced in early March by representative Jim Moran. If passed, the act will make it illegal for anyone “to conduct or commission cosmetic animal testing in the U.S.,” the Humane Society of the United States reports. It will also “prohibit selling, offering for sale or transporting any cosmetics in interstate commerce if the final product or any component was developed or manufactured using animal testing.”

The call to the United States government follows cosmetics animal testing bans in the European Union, India and Israel and China’s recent announcement of acceptance of products that were not tested on animals starting in June 2014. Although humane non-animal tests are readily available, the United States continues to allow cruel animal tests for make-up, shampoo, toothpaste and other cosmetics.

“The recent introduction of the federal Humane Cosmetics Act which now has 30 co-sponsors, and the bipartisan support in the California Senate for the Cruelty Free Cosmetics Resolution, shows that legislators are listening to the American public which, polls show, largely support ending cosmetics testing on animals. Now more than ever, it is time for US voters to make their voices heard,” said Cruelty Free International North America Campaign Manager, Monica Engebretson.

Photo Credit: Cruelty Free International