Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has dispelled confusion over its recent prohibition on certain chewable products.
In official letter dated January 29 addressed to the Commissioners of CT & GST and the Finance Department, the Health and Family Welfare Department clarified that “Pan Masala not containing tobacco or nicotine is not covered under the prohibition.”
On January 21, Odisha imposed a statewide ban on all tobacco and nicotine containing products, acting in accordance with directives from the Supreme Court of India and guidelines from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The ban forbids production, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, trade, and sale of any such items throughout the state. It specifically targets products like gutka, zarda, khaini, and any other food items that include tobacco or nicotine as ingredients.
It applies to all forms, whether chewable or smokable, flavoured, scented, packaged, or unpackaged, and regardless of the product name.
