HYDERABAD: How safe are those juicy fruits you gorge on? A TOI recce at city markets found that vendors were using carcinogenic agents to ripen fruits.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines allow use of compressed ethylene gas, ethanol, ethephon but prohibits China powder.
At markets in Kothapet, Mehdipatnam and Mozamjahi, boxes of papayas and bananas were found stuffed with China powder. "We cannot meet the demand only with naturally ripened fruits," said a vendor in Kothapet.
A recent test by the state food laboratory found presence of calcium carbide, arsenic and phosphorus in fruits.
The FSSAI guidelines do not allow any source of ethylene or ethylene gas coming in direct contact with fruits.
Purchasing ethephon needs government nod but China powder is easy to buy. The powder imported from China reaches city markets via Mumbai and Chennai ports. China powder pouches, however, carry no mention of its chemical composition. Although 'carbide-free' fruits were common during the mango season, now those are hard to find.
Doctors advise people to avoid artificially ripened fruits. "It may cause gastro-intestinal diseases and even lead to headache and dizziness," said Dr Sudarshan Reddy, general physician, Continental Hospital.
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