The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has imposed a ban on the production and selling of betel nuts (supari/chaliyan) in Punjab.
The authority has given 90-days ultimatum to all the concerned places. This decision came after a meeting was held in regards to the distribution and consumption of the product.
PFA Director-General Noor-ul-Amin Mengal chaired the meeting at the headquarters. Mengal added that the aim of this ban is to protect the consumers from its harmful side-effects.
“A large number of people, especially youngsters, are suffering from submucous fibrosis (SMF) and the patient cannot open their mouth completely and ultimately they suffer a loss of jaw movement. Strict action as per the relevant provisions of the PFA Act 2011 shall be initiated against them after April 30,” he warned.
He added that the use and profession of betel nuts are strictly prohibited in many countries like UAE, India, and others. He also deemed it as a punishable offense to consume and chew on betel nut in public areas.
“The World Health Organization has already classified betel nut as a carcinogen which is a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue,” he added.
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