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Campco appeals to Maharashtra CM for fair regulation of Arecanut products
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Thursday, 12 December, 2024, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Bengaluru
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Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative (CAMPCO), has submitted an appeal to chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, urging to address the long-standing issue of the prohibition of flavoured supari products in Maharashtra, imposed since 2013.
The appeal emphasises that its flavoured supari products fully comply with the Food Safety and Standards and are distinct from harmful products like tobacco, gutka or pan masala. The prohibition is causing undue hardship to farmers, traders, and small businesses, despite these products adhering to all regulatory standards and being legally manufactured and sold across the rest of India.
Providing the key differences between flavoured supari and pan masala, it stated that pan masala as per the GST tariff includes betel nuts with lime, catechu or tobacco. and faces legal challenges under Food Safety Standards Regulations as it contains magnesium carbonate and other agents in violation of FSS regulations. On the other hand, betel nut powder known as supari, contains betel nuts without lime, catechu or tobacco. It is fully compliant with Food Safety Standards Act and not prohibited in other States. It does not use magnesium carbonate or any prohibited agents.
To ensure quality, compliance, and consumer safety, Campco proposes regulatory standards for flavoured supari. It must adhere to all Food Safety and Standards Regulations. It should not contain any ingredients associated with pan masala or gutka, such as tobacco, nicotine, lime (chuna) or catechu (katha). Artificial sweeteners, if used, should comply with regulatory limits.
The company highlighted that Arecanut holds immense cultural and economic significance in India, especially for rural communities dependent on its cultivation and trade. Maharashtra cultivates Arecanut across more than 3,000 hectares, producing approximately 5,000 MT annually.
The prohibition on flavoured supari adversely impacts the livelihoods of these farmers and disrupts the uniform legislative framework envisioned under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, stated A. Kishore Kumar Kodgi, president, Campco in his communication to the Maharashtra chief minister.
He urged Maharashtra chief minister to lift the prohibition on flavoured supari, ensuring fair opportunities for Maharashtra’s Arecanut Farmers and businesses while upholding regulatory compliance.
On a concluding note, the Campco chief, said, “We are confident that under Maharashtra chief minister’s leadership, he would support in safeguarding the interests of the farming community. Our company remains committed to working with authorities to ensure safe and regulated practices in Arecanut product manufacturing.”
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