Mangaluru : The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Limited (CAMPCO), under the leadership of its President, Sri A. Kishore Kumar Kodgi, has submitted an appeal to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sri Devendra Fadnavis. In the appeal, CAMPCO congratulated the Chief Minister on assuming office and urged him to address the long-standing issue of the prohibition of flavoured supari products in Maharashtra, imposed since 2013.

The appeal emphasizes that CAMPCO’s flavoured supari products fully comply with the Food Safety and Standards and are distinct from harmful products like tobacco, gutka, or pan masala. The prohibition is causing undue hardship to farmers, traders, and small businesses, despite these products adhering to all regulatory standards and being legally manufactured and sold across the rest of India.

Key Differences Between Flavoured Supari and Pan Masala

Definition under GST Tariff  Chapter 21: “Pan Masala” includes betel nuts with lime, catechu, or tobacco. Chapter 21: “Betel nut powder known as supari” contains betel nuts without lime, catechu, or tobacco.

Compliance with FSS Regulations Faces legal challenges under Food Safety Standards Regulations. Fully compliant with Food Safety Standards Act and not prohibited in other states.

Use of Additives Contains magnesium carbonate and other agents in violation of FSS regulations. Does not use magnesium carbonate or any prohibited agents.

To ensure quality, compliance, and consumer safety, CAMPCO proposes the following regulatory standards for flavoured supari:
• It must adhere to all Food Safety and Standards Regulations.

• It should not contain any ingredients associated with pan masala or gutka, such as tobacco, nicotine, lime (chuna), or catechu (katha).

• Artificial sweeteners, if used, should comply with regulatory limits

Economic and Cultural Impact
CAMPCO highlighted that Arecanut holds immense cultural and economic significance in India, especially for rural communities dependent on its cultivation and trade. Maharashtra cultivates Arecanut across more than 3,000 hectares, producing approximately 5,000 MT annually. The prohibition on flavoured supari adversely impacts the livelihoods of these farmers and disrupts the uniform legislative framework envisioned under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Request for Intervention
CAMPCO has urged the Hon’ble Chief Minister to lift the prohibition on flavoured supari, ensuring fair opportunities for Maharashtra’s Arecanut Farmers and businesses while upholding regulatory compliance.
CAMPCO President Sri A.Kishore Kumar Kodgi stated, “We are confident in the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s leadership and his support in safeguarding the interests of the farming community. CAMPCO remains committed to working with authorities to ensure safe and regulated practices in Arecanut product manufacturing.”