Jamshedpur: Traders using chemicals to ripen fruits are now under civic scanner.
Special officer of Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) Sanjay Kumar Pandey on Monday said an enforcement squad led by a city manager and assisted by police would conduct raids on leading fruit wholesalers and retailers in the city to prevent the use of chemicals in fruits, particularly mangoes and bananas that are widely consumed in summer.
"We have received complaints that some traders in Bistupur and Sakchi are using calcium carbide to ripen fruits. This is a dangerous trend and can cause health hazards. We have decided to act under Section 322 of the Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011, that prohibits of sale of diseased animals or adulterated food items. Rigorous inspection will be conducted daily," Pandey said.
Using chemicals such as calcium carbide to artificially ripen fruits is banned under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011. Prevention of Food Adulteration Rule, 1955, too prohibits use of chemicals.
The JNAC officer said they would revoke the trade licence of rogue sellers and levy a spot fine of Rs 1,000, besides seizing the chemical-laced fruits.
East Singhbhum civil surgeon Dr Maheshwar Prasad said the district food safety officer would also be instructed to carry out similar raids.
"Consumption of artificially ripened fruits is harmful for health. It can lead to stomach upsets and damage the neurological system. Calcium carbide, in particular, is known to have carcinogenic properties," said Prasad.
State health joint secretary Chandra Kishore Oraon said instructions would be given to all food safety officers across districts, including Ranchi, to carry out raids against sale of chemically ripened fruits.
"Additional chief medical officers in different districts will monitor the crackdown. We shall send our food testing van to different fruit markets of Ranchi," Oraon added.
No comments:
Post a Comment