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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Jail for vendors who ripen fruits with chemicals by Kounteya Sinha

Jail for vendors who ripen fruits with chemicals by Kounteya Sinha

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published Published on Jun 24, 2010   modified Modified on Jun 24, 2010

Regular helpings of fruit are a dietary given, but increasing use of harmful chemicals for artificially ripening has often left buyers helpless. The Union health ministry has now stepped in, deciding to punish guilty vendors with up to six months in jail and fine of Rs 1,000.

Vendors often resort to use of chemicals such as calcium carbide to ripen fruits, specially mangoes, bananas, papayas, apples and plums before time. The ministry has asked the state authorities to keep a strict vigil on use of carbide gas for ripening fruits. Use of such chemicals is prohibited under Rule 44 AA of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955.

Scientists say calcium carbide, popularly known as masala, causes cancer. Used in gas welding for steel goods, it also causes mouth ulcers, gastric irritation, even food poisoning. Some vendors also dip fruits in a solution of ethephon or expose the fruits to ethylene gas to speed up ripening.

The ministry has now shot off a circular to all state food authorities, with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stressing the need to take legal action for violation of the PFA rules. Enforcement authorities in the states have been informed that circumstantial evidence of presence of calcium carbide in godowns/wooden crates/premises kept together with fruits may be evidence of artificial ripening for the courts. The FSSAI has also circulated a copy of procedure for detection of acetylene in godowns or treatment chambers.

Speaking to TOI, minister of state for health Dinesh Trivedi said, "Use of such harmful chemicals to ripen fruits faster can cause cancer. Unfortunately, no checking or monitoring is presently done. A study is immediately required to see how common its use is and what are its effects on human health."

Trivedi said that traders, retailers and sometimes even growers, use unscrupulous methods to ripen fruits artificially in order to ensure a regular supply of fruits much before their due time.

Officials said, "Traders and retailers use calcium carbide to make the appearance of fruit attractive. The problem is more severe in the case of mangoes, bananas, apples, papayas, guavas, pears and plums. Even water melons and melons are ripened artificially by injecting some chemicals."

Officials say people use these chemicals because the method is easy. Also if the fruits are left on trees, there is the risk of their getting damaged due to adverse weather conditions, much before it ripens naturally. That's why some chemicals in the form of powders are wrapped in paper packets and placed inside fruit crates.

Scientists say when calcium carbide comes in contact with moisture in the atmosphere, it produces acetylene gas which like ethylene, accelerates the ripening process.

Unfortunately, it is known to contain arsenic and phosphorus -- both highly harmful for humans. Acetylene affects the neurological system by inducing prolonged hypoxia and can cause headache, dizziness, mood disturbances, sleepiness, mental confusion, memory loss, cerebral oedema and seizures.


The Times of India, 25 June, 2010, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Jail-for-vendors-who-ripen-fruits-with-chemicals/articleshow/6088121.cms


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