109 dozen harmful artificially ripened mangoes seized

Mumbaikars need to be careful while buying mangoes, as Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, has seized nearly 109 dozens of artificially-ripened mangoes from two mango sellers in Mumbai.

A senior FDA official said that artificially ripened mangoes are found to be sold in a larger number by sellers in the market. “In order to make mangoes ripen quickly by artificial means and sell them, mango sellers are using a chemical called ‘Ethrel’,” said an official.

Following a tip-off, FDA officials carried out raids on ripe and raw mango sellers at Vashi fruit market and Chembur Fruit Galli where nearly 20 mango shops were checked, out if which two mango sellers were found to be using chemicals on raw mangoes to make them ripen artificially.

“The raids were conducted after we received several complaints regarding artificially ripened mangoes. The team seized over 100 dozen mangoes and later the samples were sent to the laboratory for a test,” said Shailesh

Adhav, Joint Commissioner (Food), FDA.

He added that especially in this season fruit sellers use a chemical to ripen fruits artificially. “We will carry this plan of action for the next two months and if someone

is found using chemicals to ripen fruits, stern action will be taken against the vendor or seller,” added Adhav.

Suresh Deshmukh, FDA Food Joint Commissioner (Konkan region), said the collected samples are sent to the laboratory to check the level of chemical used in the fruits. He said, “If the level of chemicals is tested high, severe action will be taken against the fruit sellers. We suspected chemicals such as carbide on some mangoes seized so far. Ethylene chemical up to 100 ppm and ethephon chemical up to 2 ppm can be used to ripen mangoes.”

Since 2011, FDA has destroyed 12,873 kg of different fruits and vegetables. Over 800 samples of fruits (other than mangoes) and vegetables have been collected for testing of chemicals, of which 161 were found unsafe for consumption.

Overall, fruits and vegetables worth Rs 45 lakh have been seized so far. A total of 157 cases have been booked by FDA’s food department in the state while last year FDA had found 890 kg of mangoes that were artificially ripened with calcium carbide.