FDA seizes 10 tonne of artificially-ripened mangoes

The mangoes which were seized at Sirsaim.

MAPUSA: The food and drug administration (FDA) on Wednesday seized around 10 tonne of mangoes at Sirsaim, Bardez that were being chemically ripened in violation of food laws.

“Around 10 tonne of mangoes of various varieties including Ratnagiri Hapus, Pairi and Mancurad, that were being chemically ripened in violation of food laws, were seized at Sirsaim by the food and drug authority,” said senior food safety officer Rajiv Korde.

“The mangoes were ripened using a chemical which is a plant growth regulator. Through this treatment of chemical, mangoes get artificially ripened in 24 hours with a yellowish colour while the natural ripening process takes around four to five days,” the officer said.

He said the etheryl treatment, a chemical solution like carbide, used in the artificial ripening of mangoes, could be harmful for consumers.

The artificially-ripened mangoes were allegedly brought from the neighbouring state of Maharashtra, according to the information available from sources. These mangoes were seized by senior food safety officer Rajiv Korde, who was assisted by officer Flavia D’Souza and staff Sudhakar Parsekar and Sudip Naik.

The person carrying out artificial ripening of fruits could get punishment upto 3 years of imprisonment or fine of upto Rs 5 lakh or both under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,” the senior food safety officer said, adding that, “the seized chemically ripened mangoes will be destroyed and buried so that the animals don’t consume such mangoes.”