Karnataka Food Safety Department Bans Gutkha, Tobacco and Nicotine Products for One Year:

The Karnataka Food Safety Department has issued a notification banning the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation and sale of certain tobacco and nicotine products across the state.

According to the order, gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine have been prohibited in Karnataka. The ban also applies to any other products that are sold separately but contain tobacco or nicotine in the final product, regardless of the name under which they are marketed.

The notification further states that the ban covers products sold either as a single package or as separate packets that are packaged or distributed in a way that allows consumers to easily mix them together.

The ban applies to gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine, whether packed in sachets, pouches, packages, containers or sold in any other form.

The Commissioner of Food Safety, Karnataka, has imposed the prohibition in the interest of public health. The order will remain in effect across the entire state of Karnataka for one year from the date of notification.