Goa to ban gutkha

| 26 September 2005 19:35 IST

Goa will be the first state in the country to ban the consumption of gutka and other `injurious food products' in addition to its sale and storage when the ban comes into effect from October 2, Health Minister Dayanand Narvekar said on Monday.

"Goa will be the first state to enforce a ban on consumption of gutka and other products that fall under the definition of injurious food products in Goa Public Health (Amendment) Act, 2005.

"We are the first state to reinforce this ban after the Supreme Court struck down the earlier Act saying it did not fall under the purview of the state health authorities," Narvekar said.

Although Gutka, pan masala and other flavoured tobacco products were banned from January 2003 under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, the apex court had struck down this notification a year later saying such prohibition for indefinite period did not fall within the domain of state food authorities.

"After the Supreme Court decision, a special legislation was formed under the Goa Public Health Act 1985 wherein all the prohibited food products were brought under the purview of injurious food.

"This Act was assented by governor in March but we have not yet enforced it to give time to dealers and shop owners to surrender their existing stocks. The ban will be enforced from October 2," he added.

The authorities have detected 80 cases of such articles being sold worth Rs 4.81 lakh, the minister said, adding goods worth Rs 9.39 lakh were voluntarily surrendered.

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