Exhibition of carcinogen betel nut canceled after public outcry
The 'Guangdong Betel Nut Millennium Culture Exhibition' in Guangzhou, China, was canceled by local authorities following public criticism. Betel nut is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the WHO, and netizens questioned why such a product was being promoted.
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- 📰 Published: May 28, 2026 at 16:34
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Central News Agency, Taipei, May 28. The 'Guangdong Betel Nut Millennium Culture Exhibition,' scheduled to be held in Liwan District, Guangzhou, China, was urgently canceled by local authorities. The exhibition, organized by Hainan Hecheng Tianxia Technology Development Co., Ltd., aimed to promote the medicinal value and history of betel nut. However, betel nut was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2003. Following the announcement, netizens questioned why a carcinogenic product was being promoted through exhibitions. The Liwan District Market Supervision Administration stated that the event had not been properly reported and ordered its cancellation. Authorities added that they would strengthen supervision and regulation of similar activities in the future. Similar exhibitions had previously been held in other shopping malls in Guangzhou, but public health concerns have led to stricter scrutiny.
FAQ
What is betel nut?
A stimulant that is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, known to increase the risk of oral cancer.