Oscar winners offered $1m to plug product

Winners at this year's Oscars have been offered $1 million to plug a herbal health supplement during their acceptance speech.

Airborne Health has promised to pay the money to the first recipient of an acting gong who promotes the product on the podium.

An advert on the outfit's website reads: "Simply be the first actor who... hoists a box of Airborne while intoning, 'I’d like to thank Airborne for this award'… and bingo, you win the Mill for your charity!"

Speaking to Access Hollywood, company co-founder Rider McDowell revealed that two Hollywood agencies, who represent 11 nominees between them, have already contacted him about the validity of the offer.

"The upside is huge. We don’t see a downside," he claimed. "A lot of these people are very poised - if they want to take five seconds to win $1 million for charity, it’s a great opportunity."

The 81st annual Academy Awards will take place at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on February 22.