Artificially ripened mangoes seized

About 2.6 tonnes of mangoes being ripened using calcium carbide stones at two wholesale outlets at Nelpettai Road near Gandhi Market were seized by Food Safety officials on Friday.
The mangoes were seized during surprise inspections conducted by a team of officials led by A.Ramakrishnan, Designated Officer, TN Food Safety and Drug Administration (Food Wing), on the orders of the District Collector Jayashree Muralidharan following complaints from the public.
The seized mangoes were later destroyed.
An official press release issued later warned traders against using calcium carbide to ripen mangoes as it was hazardous to health. Stern action would be taken against traders indulging in such practice, the release said.