Ban on Pan Masala, Gutka? Karnataka Starts Statewide Lab Testing Drive

Days after Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar warned of banning gutka and other chewing tobacco products over concerns that they may be laced with intoxicating substances, the state government has launched a large scale inspection drive. Officials are collecting samples of pan masala and gutka from shops for laboratory testing, with a ban likely if the reports confirm the presence of prohibited ingredients.

The move comes after the chief minister claimed that he had information that intoxicating substances are being mixed into pan masala, gutka, areca nut and other such products before being sold, engineered to give a drug-like 'high'. He also warned that if this is indeed true and is not stopped immediately, the sale of all types of pan masala, gutka and chewing tobacco products will be banned in Karnataka.

Following this direction, the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has started two-day special drive. The samples will be sent for scientific analysis to determine whether the products contain intoxicating or banned substances.

According to officials, the primary objective of the drive is to verify the composition of these products through laboratory testing. If the analysis confirms the presence of intoxicating substances, the Karnataka government is expected to consider prohibiting their sale across the state.

The initiative is part of the government's larger goal of creating a drug-free Karnataka. Authorities believe that strict monitoring of products suspected to contain addictive substances is an important step towards achieving that objective.

Officials from the food safety department are now examining the collected samples, and the final decision on any ban will depend on the laboratory test results.