FDA asks business operators, fruit vendors to refrain from use of harmful chemicals

Panaji, Apr 7 (UNI) Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has warned food business operators and fruit vendors to refrain from use of harmful chemicals.

According to a statement here, Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has come across instances wherein agricultural chemicals like Ethapone, Etherel etc are used to ripen fruits like mango, banana etc and that such practice is commonly adopted during the festival season, when the demand of fruits is on the higher side.

''In view of such mal-practice FDA has strictly warned all the food business operators (FBO) dealing in trade of fruits to refrain from use of such harmful chemicals for Artificial ripening of Fruits.

Furthermore, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have come out with an advisory wherein the use of Ethapone, Carbide etc for artificial ripening is strictly prohibited and hence FDA will engage in special drives to check for use of such chemical and any vendor found using such chemicals or is found in possession of such chemicals will be dealt with seriously as per the penal provision of law,'' the statement said.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has permitted artificial ripening by use of Ethylene gas at a concentration up to 100 ppm depending on the crop, variety and maturity through ethylene gas chambers which are licensed/registered under the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006, the FDA further informed.