Crackdown against carbide ripening of mangoes on anvil; advisory out for use of ethylene
By Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, April 11: Ripening of mangoes by industrial carbide, which is toxic with arsenic and phosphorous contents, is seen to be rampant even while it has been banned long ago. But the FSSAI (Food Standard and Safety Authority of India) is set to launch a major crackdown against the use of carbide and also sensitize the fruit traders for use of ethylene for ripening of mangoes.
The FSSAI in a circular to its all nodal offices across the country has called for sensitization of the fruit traders with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the use of ethylene, which should not be directly exposed to the mangoes for the safety purposes.
“It has been brought to the notice of the FSSAI that the SOP for the use of ethylene is not being followed by the fruit business operators (FBOs), which specifically prohibits the direct contact of the ethylene powder/ liquid with fruits. This is in violation of the norms and also unsafe means of ripening of the fruits,” FSSAI stated in its circular.
Mangoes, incidentally, have begun arriving in the market. The early ripening varieties of mangoes from southern parts of the country have come in the market.
The FSSAI stated that strict action will be taken against the fruit business operators for using ethylene in direct contact for ripening of the mangoes/ fruits and also the illegal use of carbide. The authority has listed that the ethylene gas triggers the natural ripening of the fruits, as they themselves produce ethylene.
But the traders have been seen in the Mandis of inserting ‘masala (carbide)’ for quick ripening of mangoes, as they seek to quickly dispose of the stocks in the markets and not wait for the natural ripening with the use of the ethylene gas.
Some of the exhibitions held in bid cities of carbide-free mangoes have been attracting a large number of mango lovers, as the people seek to shun the artificially ripened fruits. The FSSAI issues the advisories but the authority has been seen hardly in action against the illegal use of carbide in the wholesale fruit markets where the traders are seen openly inserting ‘masala (carbide)’ in the midst of the mango boxes.
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