The government, pan-lovers and kids were once again on the losing side as low quality and infected betel nuts have arrived in the local markets in connivance with some officials and importers. Sources close to the betel market said several thousand tons of the commodity have arrived in the city, labelling fit for human consumption with all the formalities approved from the designated internationally acclaimed labs.
They, however, said the certificate attached to these consignments revealed that the representatives of highly-reputed and approved agency has completed the tests and allowed the import of betel nuts. "They got the health certificate from provincial laboratory of Indonesia, saying that the import of said betel nut would be allowed and the sample has been drawn, and got the nod of representative of the BSI, Indonesia", they added.
This is against the regulations set by the Central Board of Revenue nearly one and half years ago when several thousand tons of betel nut was held up at the port as they were not fit for the human consumption, they added.
Sources said Rules were devised and it was agreed upon that the country of origin would provide health certificate, plant protection department certification, certificate from international acclaimed agencies-either one-Lloyds, BSI, SGS, Cotenca and Burno Veratta.
According to an inspection certificate from the Geo Services Ltd, "A 10 percent random sample were drawn from the total numbers of bags submitted and prepared, four plastic bags composite samples of 0.25 kg each to be distributed". These were sent to shipper, consignee/notify via shipper, laboratory of PAC, Median for quality analysts and fourth one kept for three months after which it would be disposed of.
The laboratory analysis results are as per the PAC result and the sample analysed by them was found to be in conformity and free from infestation for human consumption.
While the certificate from the internationally highly reputed BSI inspection, originated from Thailand said: "We hereby confirm that the sample of betel nuts was of fine quality as the result technically implies that the product indicated in the certificate is free from infestation and fits for human consumption."
One of the leading experts of the betel nuts said that both certificates are self-explanatory, but the one carried by the unbranded and low quality betel nuts revealed that the representatives are not carrying out the inspection rather dependent on some other provincial status laboratory while BSI is carrying out their own findings and fulfilling all the obligations.
A leading importer said: "Last year we agreed with the government officials that we would bring high quality and branded betel nuts from reputed exporters world wide especially Indonesia and Thailand."
He said: "These unbranded flow of betel nuts is injurious to health and would result in fatal diseases like cancer, and would create severe complications in children."
"Moreover, the government is losing tremendous amount in shape of revenue collection because most of the usage of this infected betel nut is unregistered packers selling 'Sweet Supari' to small towns and kacha areas of the city", he said.
A Panwala said: "We have to sell quality and high branded Supari to our customers because it is general habit that pan-lovers first made inspection what kind of "Chalia" I am using".
The people living in small townships or labourers, using "Gutka" are the worst victims as they are unaware what kind of betel nut has been used in the making of "Gutka". Though banned officially, it is used sporadically by the poor people and working class in the major markets of the cities.
"We are quality conscious and using branded betel nuts in our 'Sweet Supari' products as most of the consumers are children", a said 'Sweet Supari' packer, adding: "Most of the unbranded packers are using low and infected quality because they wanted to evade tax, reduce cost and made huge profits."
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