PATNA: Seven of the 12 banned pan masala brands in state have tested nicotine positive by National Tobacco Testing Laboratories (NTTL) and National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The samples of the 15 brands had been sent by the state health department for test after harmful chemical magnesium carbonate was found in 12 of them.
The brands tested nicotine positive were Rajnigandha, Supreme, Kamla Pasand, Rajshree, Rounak, Signature and Madhu. The samples had been collected from Patna, Darbhanga, Gaya, Nawada, Begusarai and Bhojpur.
The order to ban 12 pan masala brands was passed in August after harmful ingredients like magnesium carbonate were found in their samples.
According to the report of NTTL, Rajnigandha, Supreme, Kamla Pasand, Rajshree, Rounak, Signature and Madhu contained 0.042%, 0.186%, 2.26%, 0.163%, 0.208%, 0.046%, 0.151%, and 0.155% nicotine percentage respectively.
It should be noted that the state government banned the sale, distribution and production of nicotine containing products in May 2012, based on the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) report. As per standards of pan masala laid down by FSSAI, it should not contain either magnesium carbonate or nicotine. However, it was revealed that most brands were adding toxic chemicals in pan masala products.
Experts claimed that pan masala itself is carcinogenic and addition of nicotine makes it more addictive and poisonous.
PMCH superintendent Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad told this newspaper on Sunday that oral cancer is very common in Bihar because of the use of pan masalas. “It can also lead to cardiac arrest. People, especially youngsters, get influenced to consume such products because of its packaging and the way it is being advertised by the celebrities,” he said and added: “Drug testing laboratory in state failed to play an effective role. Earlier, it was defunct. The food inspectors are not trained properly. However, the state government has been focusing on such things for the last few years.”
Principal secretary (health) Sanjay Kumar told this newspaper that he is yet to receive the formal report from the testing lab. “I received the report on WhatApp from the experts there. We are waiting for the official reports,” he said.
“It is a criminal offence. The pan masala brands are putting something that they are not declaring and above all use of both the chemicals in food items are banned in state. Instead, they wrote on packaging that the product is nicotine-free,” Kumar said and added: “Once, the formal reports are received, we will take appropriate legal action against such pan masala brands.”
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