MP’s comment on arecanut slammed

Mangaluru: The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Limited (Campco) has condemned the reported demand by Godda MP Nishikant Dubey to prohibit the use of betel nuts for human consumption, claiming it causes deadly diseases like cancer. The MP reportedly stated that betel nuts can be allowed to be used for other purposes such as religious ceremonies.
Campco president A Kishore Kumar Kodgi and managing director H M Krishna Kumar, along with the board of directors, condemned the statement issued by the MP, and will appeal to the Prime Minister of the need for a thorough scientific research on the health benefits of arecanut, and thus maintain the morale of farmers.
They said that the MP’s statements were not only misleading, but that they have also hurt the sentiments of arecanut farmers of the region, adding scientists from IISc, Bengaluru in 1974 have reported that arecanut cures cancer. The Supreme Court too has ruled that arecanut is food within the meaning of Section 2 (v) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, Campco maintained.
Shampoo from arecanut
Entrepreneur and researcher Nivedan Nempe, who has developed several areca byproducts, said the government must support development of alternative use of arecanut. Arecanut has several medicinal properties that can be put to best use, he said. “We are all set to launch shampoo prepared from arecanut. The launch is happening after a lot of research and trials have been completed. In addition, we will soon be developing a face wash from arecanut,” he said. Nivedan has already launched areca tea and room fresheners made from areca.