Corpn officials up the guard for 'King of fruits'

With the onset of mango season, people have already started flocking to markets to get their hands on the ‘king of fruits’. While Indian mangoes are popular across the world, they also seem to have gained notoriety for artificial ripening. 

Earlier, the task of curbing artificial ripening of mangoes rested with the Corporation’s Health Department. After the enactment of the Food Safety and Standards Act, the Food Safety and Standards Enforcement Department has taken up the mantle of cutting down the supply of low quality mangoes.

According to an official of the Food Safety Department, the enormous influx of mangoes during the season makes it difficult to effectively monitor them. But the department has been conducting regular checks at important marketplaces, especially the Koyambedu Market. “We have seized huge amounts of calcium carbonate, other liquid chemicals and compounds used for ripening mangoes artificially. But sadly, it is still prevalent,” said an official. 

Consumption of artificially ripened mangoes is known to cause several health problems. “They are undoubtedly a serious health hazard. One of the main health implications is severe gastritis. They cause vomiting, nausea and other health problems,” said the city health officer of the Chennai Corporation.

The Food Safety Department, with the help of the Corporation’s Health Department, has resorted to surprise raids to curb the menace. “On the orders of the Food Safety Department, we conducted several surprise raids at important markets. It is from markets such as Koyambedu that most other smaller markets and vendors source their mangoes. Keeping a check on mangoes in big markets has definitely helped bring down the menace,” said a health department official. 

Apart from the chemicals, the officials also seize the mangoes that have been artificially ripened and destroy them using bleaching powder, during the raids. “Many vendors, fearing loss of merchandise, exercise more caution while sourcing mangoes now,” said an official.

The Food Safety Department and the Corporation’s Health Department have been conducting regular checks at places where sales of low quality mangoes is prevalent, such as the Marina Beach. “Recently, we conducted a surprise raid at the beach and scanned for low quality fruits, unhygienic oil and ingredients such as meat. We bleached over 285 kilograms of meat during the raid,” said an official in charge of the raid.

The public finds it difficult to ascertain which mangoes are artificially ripened, said officials. “The only way is to buy from trusted outlets, and be cautious while buying from roadside vendors,” said a health officer.