Mangalore, 22 August 2024 — The Indian nut market is grappling with a new crisis as counterfeit arecanuts, originating from foreign sources, infiltrate the market. This development has heightened concerns among growers, traders, and consumers alike, compounding existing issues with adulterated nuts.
Approximately two months ago, the Customs Preventive Unit in West Bengal intercepted a consignment of about 950 kg of arecanuts. Upon thorough inspection, these nuts were found to be counterfeit. The samples were forwarded to the Mangalore Arecanut Research Foundation for detailed analysis, which confirmed that they were not genuine arecanuts but rather imitations.
The counterfeit arecanuts are notably different from real ones. They exhibit a white interior and lack the characteristic ridge structure and central pulp typical of genuine arecanuts. The exterior of these fake nuts is coated with nut butter and dried, which gives them a superficial resemblance to chestnuts. However, they are significantly harder than authentic arecanuts, making them easily distinguishable from the genuine product.
Renowned Ayurvedic doctors and nut experts, including Badanaje Shankar Bhatt, were unable to identify the origin of these counterfeit nuts. The samples showed no taste or medicinal properties, further indicating their lack of authenticity. Additionally, the nuts appeared older, discolored, and had noticeable holes, suggesting a substandard quality compared to genuine arecanuts.
Experts suspect that the counterfeit nuts may have entered India through Bangladesh, originating from an East Asian country. This incident represents the first reported case of fake arecanuts in the Indian market, although adulterated nuts and nut powders have been issues in the past. The introduction of these counterfeit products poses a significant threat to the integrity of the Indian nut industry.
Calls for Further Action
Dr. Balachandra Hebbar, Director of CPCRI Kasaragod, has called for further research into the counterfeit nuts. He emphasised that these fake nuts do not resemble any native species found in India, highlighting the need for a deeper investigation. Keshav Bhatt of the Arecanut Research and Development Foundation in Mangalore has also urged the forest department to look into the matter, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue to protect both consumers and the agricultural sector.
The presence of counterfeit arecanuts in the market not only threatens the livelihood of growers and traders but also poses risks to consumer health. The lack of genuine medicinal properties and the potential for misleading consumers highlight the need for robust measures to prevent the distribution of such products.
As the investigation continues, the Indian nut industry faces a critical challenge. Ensuring the authenticity of arecanuts and safeguarding the market from counterfeit products are crucial steps in maintaining the integrity of this vital sector. The ongoing efforts to trace the origins of these fake nuts and implement preventive measures will be key in addressing this emerging threat.