Goa’s famous cashew nut processing industry that has strived and succeeded in capturing the world market could be in peril as cashew nuts from African countries are reportedly invading the market and being passed off as local. It is learnt that tourists who take back these cashew nuts to be distributed among friends could be taking those imported from African countries. Obviously it is not only the tourists but even the local consumers who could be taken for a ride. The question that arises is, how does a consumer differentiate cashew nuts which are imported from Africa countries and the local variety. All cashew nuts look the same, especially when they are packed. Even if the taste of both the varieties is different, the consumer cannot open the package and taste the nuts and return it if not satisfied as regards the authenticity of the product. It is left to the government to act and take strict action against those importing cashew nuts from other countries and selling it in the state as local produce.
