Food Safety dept. seizes arti„cially-ripened, rotten mangoes in Tiruppur district

In a surprise operation, o„cials of the Food Safety Department inspected fruit godowns and retail outlets and seized 2.5 tonnes of arti•cially-ripened and rotten mangoes, and other fruits, on Tuesday.

Inspection of three godowns led to seizure of 1.2 tonnes of arti•cially-ripened mangoes. The rest encompassed rotten mangoes, and overripe grapes, oranges, and other fruits un•t for consumption.

The department estimated the value of the seized fruits at about ₹ 3 lakh.

Supervised by B. Vijayalalithambigai, Designated O„cer for Food Safety and Drug Administration, three teams of Food Safety o„cials carried out inspections at Daily Market, KSC School Road, Arisikadai Veedhi, Velliankadu and Palagodown Veedhi.

Cautioning the public against purchasing arti•ciallyripened mangoes, saying it will lead to health complications, Dr. Vijayalalikthambigai said such fruits would usually be completely yellow on the exterior, but the inner portion will not be ripe. Consumption of such fruits will lead to skin allergy, diarrhoea and vomiting.

These fruits, ripened directly with calcium carbide acetylene, will not be juicy and be bereft of taste or aroma, she explained.

Notices issued

The department issued notices to the godowns and shops warning them against indulging in such a practice in future. The department o„cials also instructed workers in fresh fruit juice joints to wash the fruits and mixer grinders well before juice extraction.

Use of rotten fruits for juice extraction will invite stringent action, she said.

Food Safety Department ošicials examining artificially-ripened mangoes at a godown in Tiruppur on Tuesday.