Uttarakhand government imposes ban on gutka, pan masala for a year

In order to clamp down on the harmful effects of nicotine-based chewing products and tobacco, the Uttarakhand Government has placed a ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutka and pan masala in the state for a year.

The Food Safety Commissioner Nitesh Kumar issued an order to this effect on Friday evening.

According to PTI, the order stated that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India forbids the use of tobacco and nicotine in any product as an ingredient, however, it has been found in various products available for human consumption like gutka, pan masala, etc.

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, gives power to the State Government to impose a ban on food products in the public interest.