Hyderabad: FSSAI seized three godowns for chemical ripening of fruits
Hyderabad/Kothapet: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has conducted rides on Friday in the Kothapet Fruit Market in Hyderabad and found that fruit vendors are artificially ripening the fruits with the use of chemical fruit ripening agents in a prohibited manner.
FSSAI Task Force Finds Fruit Vendors Engaging in Illegal Chemical Ripening of Fruits in Hyderabad
The FSSAI Task Force Team, constituted recently by the Commissioner of Food Safety, has conducted inspections in Kothapet Fruit Market Area and the team identified that 3 Fruit… pic.twitter.com/iFzYVJ9etp
— Sudhakar Udumula (@sudhakarudumula) April 25, 2024
According to the sources, a quantity of stock weighing over 550 kgs with a market value of over Rs.55,000 was found to be ripened using chemical sachets in direct contact, which is a prohibited method. While ripening the fruits in an artificial manner, the fruit vendors usually place ‘Ethylene Cellulose wrappers’ in the fruit baskets.
The FSSAI task force has seized three godowns in connection with the artificial ripening of fruits in Kothapet. These godowns include, Shaik Qayyum Trading Company, SSSB banana Fruit company and ABC Fruit company, according to the reports.
What you need to know about fruit ripening?
These are some of the key takeaways one should keep in mind regarding the artificial ripening of fruits, according to the FSSAI guidelines. It should be noted that the use of carbide gas or acetylene gas is not permitted for artificial ripening of fruits under Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011 due to the potential health hazards.
Ethylene gas could be used for artificial ripening at a concentration up to 100 ppm (100μl/L). Here Ethylene plays a vital role in natural ripening of fruits. It should be understood that it is a hormone naturally produced within the fruits to stimulate ripening process. Ethylene, being a natural hormone, does not pose any health hazard to consumers.
However, external application of ethylene gas generated from various sources such as ethylene gas cylinders, compressed ethylene gas, ethanol, ethephon, etc. can be used on fruits to trigger the ripening process in fruits. And, any source of ethylene gas coming in direct contact with fruits is not permitted.
Consumers should purchase fruits from known sellers, reputed stores, dealers who declare that fruits sold have not been ripened using harmful or banned chemicals.
