Faith Foundation advocates ban on all ‘unsafe’ food products in Gujarat
Following Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's announcement of a blanket ban on gutkha in the state with effect from September 11, 2012, the state food and drug department issued a clarification that no ban would be imposed on the sale and storage of pan masala.
The Faith Foundation, a Vadodara-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that runs a centre for the rehab of those addicted to tobacco and is a forum to create awareness about HIV/AIDS, is now batting for a ban on all products termed ‘unsafe’ under the food safety regulations.
“Our concern is with the loophole in Modi's notification. It does not take into consideration the fact that addicts could now mix pan masala with tobacco, and consume it as a substitute of gutkha, because both have a similar feel,” Ananth Christian of the Faith Foundation told FnB News.
In a telephonic chat, Christian informed that the NGO had made a representation voicing its issues about these harmful substances to the government earlier and that they were awaiting a revert from them (which is expected soon).
The government could incur a loss of revenue due to this, a fact he confirmed. But he added that it costs them over three times the amount to treat oral cancer patients across the state. He also said, “Gujarat is a dry state, but prohibition isn't a success here. People consume bootleg liquor.”
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