Is Rajnigandha pan masala harmful?

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of Rajnigandha brand of pan masala on the ground that it contains magnesium carbonate, a probable carcinogen the sale of which in the form of gutkha or pan masala is banned in the state.

What causes cancer in paan?

Paan contains areca (betel) nut which is a strong risk factor for oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) [2], an oral condition that restricts mouth opening and increases oral cancer risk [3]. OSMF is thus on the causal pathway between paan consumption and oral cancer and mediates that relation.

Why is pan masala banned?

Notably, the ban on gutkha and pan masala was imposed one year ago. In the notification issued by the state government, it has been said that tobacco products including gutkha, pan-masala are very injurious to health because nicotine is found in high amounts in tobacco substances.

Is pan masala a tobacco?

Background: Pan masala-containing tobacco (PM-T) was introduced in the Indian market during the 1970s. It is a mixture of areca nut, tobacco, lime, catechu and spices. Studies on Mainpuri tobacco indicate that it is carcinogenic, while literature suggests an association between mawa use and oral submucous fibrosis.

Why is pan masala addictive?

It contains betel nuts, tobacco, lime, catechu and permitted spices and flavors. The first four substances damage the sensitive mucosa, causing constant irritation and micro trauma to the mucosa. Chemicals that are present act as a toxin. Altogether, this substance is known to be physiologically addictive.

Is pan masala is good for health?

Among humans, it is a leading cause of oral submucous fibrosis that often progresses to oral cancer. Among experimental animals, it leads to neoplastic lesions in lung, liver and stomach. It is hepatotoxic leading to increased level of enzymes, deranged carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

What is pan masala used for?

A herb, nut, and seed mixture that is commonly served in India. Pan Masala is most often considered to be an item to aid digestion or used as a breath freshener for use after consuming highly spicy meals.

Is pan masala banned in Kerala?

The State government has imposed a blanket ban on the manufacturing and sale of gutka/pan masala in the State. It became the second State after Madhya Pradesh to ban these products; at 22.5 per cent VAT, the banned products earned Rs 15 crore in annual revenues.

What are the side effects of pan masala?

Animal studies have shown that pan masala leads to tumours of lung, stomach, liver, testes and skin. It damages the liver and disturbs the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. It damages kidneys, testes and even causes abnormalities in sperms.

Does pan masala cause oral cancer?

Pan masalas are harmful for health and can cause oral cancer regardless of whether they contain tobacco or not. And since there is a large amount of evidence to show that pan masala can cause cancer, I propose that the original tagline must be rightfully amended to – “Bolo Zubaan Cancery” (Say your tongue is cancerous).

Is it safe to eat pan masala?

Often, the packaging and visual look of the pan masala packets are exactly similar to the gutkha packets,” says Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, cancer surgeon at Tata Memorial Centre. And pan masala itself is not harmless. “Areca nut ( supari ), the main ingredient of pan masala, is extremely addictive.

Does pan masala have tobacco in it?

Pan Masala does not have tobbaco but betel nut is an identified risk factor for oral cancer. Although risk is not as high as tobacco based products.

What are the effects of pan masala on the body?

It damages the liver and disturbs the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. It damages kidneys, testes and even causes abnormalities in sperms. Appearance of withdrawal symptoms after 2-3 hours of abstinence in regular users shows the highly addictive nature of pan masala”.