RANCHI : Jharkhand on Friday banned manufacture, sale and storage of 11 brands of pan masala for a year saying these products contain a chemical which is harmful to the heart and can cause various diseases.
The authorities collected 41 samples of various brands of pan masala from different districts and tested them to check it they contain magnesium carbonate, which is banned under the Food Safety Act, 2006, as one of the ingredients, an official release said here.
A total of 11 brands, including leading ones, failed the test. "So, for the interest of public health, the ban has been imposed (on the 11 brands) for one year.