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CAMPCO appeals Union Government for action on reassessment of Arecanut classification by WHO
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Monday, 25 November, 2024, 12 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Bengaluru
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The Central Arecanut & Cocoa Marketing & Processing Cooperative Limited (CAMPCO), a multi-State Cooperative Society representing Arecanut farmer members dealing with agricultural commodities.
The main objective is to protect the interest of the Arecanut farmers as it the foundation on the Cooperative was built. Arecanut has been known in India from ancient times. It is offered traditionally in auspicious occasions. Ayurvedic texts mention that Arecanut plays a pivotal role in balancing kapha and pitta, doshas and in aiding digestion. There are a number of health benefits of areca and India has a long history of safe consumption of Arecanut.
“We wish to bring to your attention a critical issue concerning the World Health Organisation's classification of Arecanut as carcinogenic, which has a severe adverse impact on Arecanut farmers. Even though this classification is largely based on several research and review papers, a closer examination of these studies indicates that the data predominantly pertain to chewing mixtures such as betel quid and gutka, rather than Arecanut alone in its natural form,” stated A. Kishore Kumar Kodgi, president, CAMPCO in his communication to Union Government of health and family welfare.
Numerous research studies have demonstrated that Arecanut is not carcinogenic but exhibits anti-carcinogenic properties. Modern investigations have demonstrated that Arecanut has various pharmacological activities including positive effects on nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine, anti-parasitic and digestive system. The findings are from premier research institutes like the Indian Institute of Science, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory, Atlanta, USA, CPRCI under ICAR, Ministry of Agriculture and Famers Welfare, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taiwan, Oral Medicine department, Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia highlighted that potential therapeutic value of Arecanut.
According to Kodgi, these observations further support the traditional knowledge in India that use of areca alone is not harmful. While arecoline is present in Arecanut has been suspected to be involved in harmful effects, the carcinogenic potential of arecoline is not fully established. It is possible that in whole Arecanut there are molecules that can neutralise any potential harmful effects of arecoline. Further the cytotoxic effect of Arecanut extract on cancer cells suggest that there is potential to study Arecanut as a source of anticancer molecules.
Noting that there is a need for a call for action, Kodgi on behalf of India's Arecanut farmers, made a fervent request for an intervention by Union Government in advocating for a re-evaluation of Arecanut's classification by WHO/IARC.
CAMPCO, which represents more than 1.45 lakh Arecanut farmers is concerned about the impact of such a classification. As a livelihood of many farmers and their families who are dependent on this crop, Kodgi sought Government intervention for support on this issue.
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