Thursday, 4th June, 2026 (Nokinketer News): The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, has notified a statewide prohibition on the manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of all food products containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients for a period of one year.

The ban has been imposed by the Commissioner of Food Safety, Nagaland, in compliance with Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sale of Certain Products) Regulations, 2011, which prohibits the use of tobacco and nicotine as ingredients in any food product.

According to the notification, the prohibition covers gutkha, pan masala with tobacco or nicotine, and all other flavoured, scented, processed, or chewable food products containing tobacco or nicotine. The order also applies to products sold under different names or forms that facilitate the consumption of tobacco or nicotine with food items.

The department stated that tobacco and nicotine cannot be used as ingredients in food products under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It noted that the widespread consumption of smokeless tobacco products, including gutkha and pan masala, poses serious health risks, particularly to children and young adults.

The notification further referred to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations issued on August 1, 2011, which prohibit the use of tobacco and nicotine in food products. It also cited a Supreme Court of India order dated September 23, 2016, which observed that some manufacturers were circumventing the gutkha ban by selling pan masala and flavoured chewing tobacco in separate sachets that could be mixed by consumers before use.

The Supreme Court had noted that such “twin-pack” sales effectively enabled the continued consumption of gutkha despite existing restrictions.

In line with these observations, the FSSAI, through a letter dated March 27, 2026, directed Food Safety Commissioners of all States and Union Territories to ensure strict compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions and Regulation 2.3.4 of the 2011 regulations.

The Nagaland government said various tobacco- and nicotine-containing products continue to be widely available in the market despite existing restrictions, posing a significant threat to public health.

The prohibition extends to all food products, whether packaged or unpackaged, and includes products sold as a single unit or as separate components that can be easily mixed by consumers. The order also covers any product containing tobacco or nicotine, irrespective of the name under which it is marketed or sold in the state.

The ban has been imposed under Section 30(2)(d) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, in the interest of public health and will remain in force across Nagaland for one year from the date of notification.

(Source: DIPR)

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