98% samples of gutka have magnesium carbonate

If you thought it is just tobacco content in gutka packets that causes you harm, here’s some startling news for you. While enlisting the reasons for the ban on gutka, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) revealed that 98% of samples of gutka and paan masala tested over eight years contained magnesium carbonate, a dangerous chemical.

Of the 1,173 samples of packets of gutka and paan masala tested between 2003 and 2011 by the FDA, 1,153 contained magnesium carbonate.

This chemical is usually found in fire extinguishers and is unfit for human consumption, but it makes up nearly 7% of the content of gutka packets. What’s more, gutka packets were found to contain high quantity of nicotine, again injurious to health.

“The samples were collected by the FDA over many years and irrespective of brand, magnesium carbonate was found to be present in 98% of the samples. The chemical compound has anti-caking properties and is used to ensure that the gutka flows freely. The chemical leads to a lot of health problems and is one of main reasons behind the ban on gutka,” said Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune.

The FDA listed several studies to link gutka and paan masala to oral cancer besides fibrosis and many health problems for the ban.

“Studies done at Tata Memorial Hospital show that gutka contains high quantity of carcinogens and that leads to increasing number of young cancer patients. Deans of government dental colleges in Mumbai and Nagpur have submitted reports to prove chewing gutka leads to sub-mucous fibrosis in which membranes of the mouth harden and people find it difficult to even open their mouth,” said a senior FDA official.

Quoting results of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey that proves Maharashtra has the highest consumption of tobacco in the country with 35% wanting to kick the habit, the FDA commissioner has exercised his powers to implement the ban on gutka.