|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
Karnataka government bans manufacture, sale of chewing tobacco products
|
|
Friday, 28 October, 2016, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Nandita Vijay, Bengaluru
|
|
fiogf49gjkf0d The government of Karnataka has banned the manufacture, distribution, storage and sale of all forms of chewing tobacco products, including gutka and pan masala, under Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.
The regulation stated that the product should not contain any substance which may be injurious to health, and added that tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products.
In an order dated October 26, 2016, issued by the commissioner of food safety, Public Health Institute stated that the move followed the restrictions put forth by the Food Safety Standards Regulations, 2011. Gutka and pan masala, which contain tobacco and nicotine, are unsafe as the ingredients are injurious to health.
The Central Arecanut Marketing versus the government of India transfer case C I of 2010, in a filing to the Supreme Court of India observed that the circumvent the ban on the sale of gutka, the manufacturers are selling pan masala without tobacco with flavoured chewing tobacco in separate sachets are often sold together by the vendors so that consumers can buy pan masala and flavoured chewing tobacco, mix them both and consume the same.
Hence, instead of the earlier ready to consume mixes, chewing tobacco companies are selling gutka in twin packs to be mixed as one. The court, in view of the situation, directed the concerned authorities to comply with the mandate of Regulation 2.3.4 and directed health departments to ensure total compliance with the ban imposed on all manufacturing and sale of gutka and pan masala with tobacco and nicotine.
In this regard, the state government directed all food safety officers (FSOs) to keep a close watch on the manufacture, distribution, storage and sale of these products. It also directed all officers in the food departments to keep a close watch on the same.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|