Odisha’s ban on tobacco- and nicotine-containing food products challenged before HC

The Orissa High Court has reportedly sought the Odisha government’s response to a writ appeal challenging the state’s ban on food products containing tobacco or nicotine. The appeal follows an August 21 judgment upholding the January 2026 notification prohibiting the manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of such products, including gutkha and pan masala. The appellant has primarily challenged the classification of chewing tobacco as “food” under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.