Srinagar, Jun 18: The Jammu & Kashmir Food & Drugs Administration (FDA) has renewed the prohibition on the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of all food products containing tobacco and nicotine, including gutkha and pan masala, across the Union Territory for a period of one year.
The order was issued by Commissioner Food Safety, J&K, Khalid Jahangir, in exercise of powers vested under Section 30(2)(a) and 30(2)(b) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The prohibition comes into effect from June 2026 and will remain in force for one year.
According to the order, no person shall manufacture, store, transport, distribute or sell any food product containing tobacco and/or nicotine as an ingredient.
The ban specifically covers gutkha, pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine, flavoured chewing products and similar products marketed either as a single package or sold separately for mixing before consumption.
The FDA said the decision has been taken in the interest of public health, noting that tobacco and nicotine are prohibited ingredients in food products under Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.
The order highlights growing concerns over the widespread availability and consumption of gutkha and other chewable tobacco products, particularly among school-going children, adolescents, young adults and labourers.
Health experts have long linked such products to oral cancer, cardiovascular diseases and several other life-threatening illnesses.
The FDA also referred to the Supreme Court's landmark observations in the case of Central Arecanut Marketing Corporation and Others versus Union of India, wherein the apex court noted that manufacturers were attempting to circumvent the ban by selling pan masala and flavoured chewing tobacco separately, enabling consumers to mix the products before use.
The court had directed states and union territories to strictly enforce the prohibition on gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine.
Officials said the latest order aligns with directions issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which has repeatedly urged states and union territories to renew such prohibitory orders annually and ensure effective enforcement.
The Centre had also observed that failure to issue annual prohibitory orders in some regions weakened enforcement efforts against banned products.
The FDA order makes it clear that the prohibition extends not only to products containing tobacco or nicotine but also to those sold in separate packets with the intention of being mixed and consumed together.
Authorities believe this provision will help curb attempts to bypass existing restrictions through innovative packaging and marketing strategies.
Food Safety Officers and other enforcement authorities have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order. Any person found violating the prohibition will be liable for action under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Officials said intensified inspections and enforcement drives are expected across Jammu and Kashmir to prevent the manufacture, stocking and sale of banned tobacco-laced food products.
The administration has appealed to traders, distributors and consumers to cooperate with authorities in safeguarding public health and discouraging the use of harmful tobacco products.
