Karnataka on Wednesday banned the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine throughout the state for a interval of 1 12 months.
The notification, dated June 15, 2026, issued by the Commissioner of Meals Security, Karnataka State, stated the ban has been imposed below clause (a) of sub-section (2) of Part 30 of the Meals Security and Requirements Act, 2006, learn with Regulation 2.3.4 of the Meals Security and Requirements (Prohibition and Restrictions on Gross sales) Regulation, 2011.
Order cites well being considerations
The order was issued citing public well being considerations, and it prohibits gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine throughout Karnataka with impact from the date of the notification.
Additionally learn | FSSAI bans plastic, foil packaging for pan masala under new rules
It additionally covers different merchandise marketed individually that comprise tobacco or nicotine within the remaining product, no matter their identify, whether or not packaged or unpackaged and whether or not offered as one product or packaged individually in a way that facilitates mixing by customers.
“Gutkha /Pan masala which accommodates tobacco and nicotine…”
“Some other merchandise marketed individually having tobacco or nicotine within the remaining product by no matter identify referred to as, whether or not packaged or un-packaged and/or offered as one product, or although packaged as separate merchandise, offered or distributed in such a way to simply facilitate mixing by the patron. Gutkha /Pan masala which accommodates tobacco and nicotine as components, that are packed in sachets/pouches/package deal/containers and so on., or by no matter identify it’s referred to as in the whole State of Karnataka for a interval of 1 12 months with impact from the date of notification,” the notification learn.
Earlier, India’s meals security regulator, FSSAI, had up to date its packaging guidelines to ban plastic and foil packaging for pan masala. Below the brand new Meals Security and Requirements (Packaging) Modification Laws, 2026, producers can now not use plastic-based supplies, plastic laminates, aluminum foil, or metallised layers to pack pan masala.
Shifting ahead, pan masala can solely be offered in eco-friendly packaging or conventional inflexible containers.
The brand new guidelines have been notified because the Meals Security and Requirements (Packaging) Modification Laws, 2026, and can come into power from the date of their publication within the Official Gazette, based on a press launch.
Below the amended rules, pan masala might be packed utilizing paper, paper board, cellulose or different naturally derived supplies.
