Huge amount of artificially ripened mangoes were seized from the traders in Erode on Friday. The fruits were later dumped in the Vendipalayam compost yard.- PHOTO: M. GOVARTHAN
More than three tonnes of mangoes that were artificially ripened using chemicals were seized during a surprise check conducted by a team of food safety and health officials, here, on Friday.
Following reports that the fruit traders were using chemicals such as calcium carbide to induce ripening, the officials checked the mangoes stocked in the godowns and wholesale stalls at Nethaji market, Kongalamman Street and Masjid Street.
They found huge amount of mangoes that were ripened prematurely using banned chemicals in many godowns and seized them.
The mangoes were later dumped at the Vendipalayam compost yard.
Officials cautioned that stern action would be initiated against the traders who indulge in the harmful practice. They further said similar checks would be conducted across the district frequently.
Health officials said that consumption of artificially ripened mangoes would cause many problems including neurological disorders.
“The artificially ripened fruit will lack the distinctive aroma that naturally ripened mangoes have. It will also look uniformly coloured, while the naturally ripened one will show gradients in yellows and greens. If the mangoes have wrinkles, avoid them,” says a horticulture official here.
"Based on a tip off, we raided the shops and confiscated the artificially ripened mangoes. They were sprayed with pesticide for quick ripening which is being widely used as a substituent for calcium carbide these days," said G Rameshkumar, designated officer, Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, Erode.
The artificially ripened mangoes were seized from three fruit warehouses in Nethaji whole sale fruit market in Erode. Officials claimed the traders were spraying pesticide on the mangoes to ensure the entire bunch becomes ripe within five to six days. They acknowledged it difficult to identify fruits ripened by spraying the pesticide which is available in the open market at Rs 1200 per litre.
"These artificially ripened fruits have a pink tinge on their outer skin but that cannot be the only factor to confirm the presence of the toxic artificial ripening agent," Rameshkumar added.
The team raided more than 15 fruit storage spots in the market from where retail fruit merchants in Erode and nearby areas procure their fruit consignments for sale. Erode corporation officials were also present during the raid and later seized fruits were destroyed by dumping them in the corporation compost yard in Vendipalayam, Erode.
Following reports that the fruit traders were using chemicals such as calcium carbide to induce ripening, the officials checked the mangoes stocked in the godowns and wholesale stalls at Nethaji market, Kongalamman Street and Masjid Street.
They found huge amount of mangoes that were ripened prematurely using banned chemicals in many godowns and seized them.
The mangoes were later dumped at the Vendipalayam compost yard.
Officials cautioned that stern action would be initiated against the traders who indulge in the harmful practice. They further said similar checks would be conducted across the district frequently.
Health officials said that consumption of artificially ripened mangoes would cause many problems including neurological disorders.
“The artificially ripened fruit will lack the distinctive aroma that naturally ripened mangoes have. It will also look uniformly coloured, while the naturally ripened one will show gradients in yellows and greens. If the mangoes have wrinkles, avoid them,” says a horticulture official here.
Food safety officials seize three tonnes of mangoes
COIMBATORE: Food safety officials, in Erode, on Friday seized three tonnes of artificially ripened mangoes sprayed with organophosphate based insecticide, an artificial ripening agent. The compound is toxic and is part of the same chemical family of compounds that are found in various harmful pesticides and even nerve gas agents."Based on a tip off, we raided the shops and confiscated the artificially ripened mangoes. They were sprayed with pesticide for quick ripening which is being widely used as a substituent for calcium carbide these days," said G Rameshkumar, designated officer, Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, Erode.
The artificially ripened mangoes were seized from three fruit warehouses in Nethaji whole sale fruit market in Erode. Officials claimed the traders were spraying pesticide on the mangoes to ensure the entire bunch becomes ripe within five to six days. They acknowledged it difficult to identify fruits ripened by spraying the pesticide which is available in the open market at Rs 1200 per litre.
"These artificially ripened fruits have a pink tinge on their outer skin but that cannot be the only factor to confirm the presence of the toxic artificial ripening agent," Rameshkumar added.
The team raided more than 15 fruit storage spots in the market from where retail fruit merchants in Erode and nearby areas procure their fruit consignments for sale. Erode corporation officials were also present during the raid and later seized fruits were destroyed by dumping them in the corporation compost yard in Vendipalayam, Erode.
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