The state health department on Wednesday decided to allow manufacturers, distributors and sellers of paan masala to take their products outside Jharkhand by May 31 where there is no prohibition on their sale.

The order was issued by health secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni who is also the food safety commissioner of Jharkhand.

According to the order, manufacturers, distributors and sellers can transport their product outside Jharkhand latest by May 31.

The decision was taken in the wake of the Jharkhand government’s order last Friday banning 11 brands of paan masala and tobacco products in Jharkhand.

The ban including their manufacture, storage, distribution and sale, for one year.

The government took the decision because these products contain the harmful chemical magnesium carbonate. Moreover, living amid the Covid-19 outbreak, it was found that spitting spreads the virus and people addicted to paan masala often spit in public places.

In the order, the department has stated that the banned products — Rajnigandha, Raj Niwas, Pan Paragan Pan Masala, Sikhar, Dilruba, Musafir, Madhu, Bimal, Bahan Pan Masala, Sehrat Paan Masala and Pan Parag Premium — can’t be sold or even stored at any retail shop in the state.

The unconsumed stocks must be sent back and stored with the distributors and wholesale suppliers.

The distributors and wholesale suppliers will have to inform the sub-divisional officer, food safety, and notified officers of the area concerned. With their due permission they can supply the unsold products to any other state.