CNMI, Guam violate US laws on betel nut

Both the Northern Marianas and Guam violate existing statute of the federal government strictly banning the entry of betel nut into the mainland United States and other territories.

The updated policy on importation of betel nut into the US, including Guam and the CNMI, allows the Food and Drug Administration to refuse the commercial entry of these popular fruit.

According to US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Director Mitchell G. Nelson, Guam and the CNMI continuously ignore the federal law that changes had already been made to include the two territories.

Under the FDA Import Bulletin 23-814 issued in September 2000, Mr. Nelson said commercial importation of betel nuts are still banned. The FDA canceled its earlier Import Alert 23-06 which totally prohibits entry of the betel nut in any form into Guam and another parts of the mainland US.

From foreign countries into Guam and the CNMI, FDA approves only the entry of betel nut from the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau while cracked betel nuts from all other countries can be brought in.

The State of Hawaii enforced the strict policy of cracking the betel nut open and removal of green husk before the nut can be allowed entry, while Guam authorities require removal of outer husk and to crack open the betel nut.

This, according to FDA, is to prevent unknown diseases originating from the CNMI to enter Guam.

However, USDA maintained that betel nut leaves can only be allowed entry to Guam and CNMI if these are from Yap, Palau, and FSM. But leaves from Guam and CNMI are not allowed entry into Hawaii or other parts of the US because of a lack of a Pet Risk analysis.

“Travelers must still declare their betel nuts, leaves and all other foodstuff to the USDA for inspection upon arrival,” the report reads.

Mr. Nelson said the changes to the FDA regulations were made due to consistent refusal of the CNMI and Guam government to heed calls of the federal agency on the total banning of the betel nut.

Betel nut use is said to be dangerous and can cause cancer of the throat and other dental problems. Because of this, the United States strictly imposed the ban on the entry of the betel nut to mainland and other territories.

Dental experts said gum diseases and other problems are caused by a combination of betel nut quit usage patterns and associated with oral leukoplakia.

Reports said oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma are results of smokeless tobacco which was classified as Group 1 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The use of betel nut and quid is considered illegal for personal use in other US political family such as Hawaii and the mainland US. (EGA)