Rospotrebnadzor Puts Betel Nut Sales on Marketplaces Under Scrutiny

Overview

• The consumer watchdog said it took reports of dried betel fruit sales under control after media coverage highlighted potential psychoactive effects, addiction risk, and links to oral cancer.
• Rospotrebnadzor notified the Association of E‑Commerce Companies to relay the need for exhaustive measures that prevent remote sales of products that may violate health and safety rules.
• State Duma member Sultan Khamzaev asked Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova to halt open marketplace sales of the product and to initiate inspections.
• His appeal also seeks restricted circulation, possible inclusion on the list of goods barred from free trade, and tighter requirements for certification and licensing on platforms.
• Parents’ complaints about children buying the so‑called “intoxicating” nuts online triggered the push, and authorities have not announced a ban.