GUWAHATI: The division bench of Gauhati High Court in a PIL challenging the manufacture, sale, storage, and supply of different brands of pan masala in Assam containing magnesium carbonate (MgCo3)as an ingredient, has directed the concerned authorities to take necessary action to resolve the issue.
A division bench comprising Hon'ble Chief Justice (Acting) N Kotiswar Singh, directed the Chief Secretary of Assam, the Director and Joint Director of Health Services, the Food Safety Branch, and the Commissioner of Food Safety to resolve the allegations as regards to the presence of MgCo3 in different brands of pan masala sold in the state.
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The Commissioner in his affidavit filed before Gauhati High Court admitted the presence of MgCO3 in different brands of pan masala which includes Rajnigandha, Vimal, Sikhar, etc.
The PIL was filed by one Jitul Deka, General Secretary of Asomiya Yuva Mancha, against the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation, display, and sale of pan masala containing magnesium carbonate as ingredients.
In the said PIL it was contended that as per scientific research, consumption of pan masala containing MgCO3 leads to acute hyper magnesia, cardiac arrest, and cancer.
That the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation, display, and sale of such products are in clear violation of section 26 of the Food Safety & Standards Act,2006 as well as regulation 3.1.7 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
The PIL also contended that considering the fatal effects of MgCO3 in Pan Masala, the states of Bihar, Maharashtra , Jharkhand and Rajasthan have already prohibited certain brands of such pan masalas which however continues to be sold in Assam.
