Sanjha Morcha

Think twice before buying those luscious fruits Carcinogenic agents being used to ripen fruits quickly

Think twice before buying those luscious fruits

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 10

Think twice before reaching out to luscious fruits including mangoes, litchis, watermelon and muskmelon as these might be artificially coloured and ripened.Concern has been raised over the artificially ripening and colouring of fruits as carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents are being used to ripen fruits quickly for higher volume of sales.Fruits are artificially ripened with calcium carbide popularly known as “potash” and can cause headache, dizziness, mouth ulcer, diarrhoea, allergic reactions and even severe food poisoning.Despite ban, calcium carbide is easily available in the market and authorities have failed to check its sale. The chemical releases acetylene gas that results in overnight ripening of unripened fruits such as mango, banana and papaya.The casual approach adopted by the Health Department is the main reason why these fruit traders openly indulge in artificial ripening and colouring of fruits.District Health Officer Dr Abnash Kumar said: “The department conducts regular raids at the fruit market and destroys over ripened fruits. We collect samples and take action only after the report arrives. The case is then decided by the court.”Mangoes are plucked before reaching physiological maturity just for making profit. As it is premature, it can’’t ripen naturally. The natural method is simply letting the fruit ripen by itself. Fruits produce ethylene, which hastens ripening. But mangoes being sold now can’’t produce ethylene and vendors use chemicals to ripen it.A majority of the traders ripen fruits artificially with the help of banned chemicals. The fruit market is flooded with varieties of mangoes that are artificially ripened.The chemical is commonly called “masala” and a sachet is available for mere Rs 3-5. It is placed over mangoes which helps in ripening the fruits quickly.“We have been doing this for years. Customers do not buy green mangoes and this ‘masala’ helps in ripening the fruits in a day,” said a worker at the fruit market.Do not let the sugary juicy watermelons and muskmelons and brightly colour litchis allure you. The brighter these are, the more there are chances that they have been artificially coloured.Injecting red food colour and sugar syrup in watermelons with a syringe to give them an inviting red colour and sweet taste is an open secret now. Litchi that looks red from outside is dipped or sprayed with red colour.Wholesalers at the fruit market claimed that all fruits, reach the mandi without chemicals. “We never use any chemical in fruits. However, some roadside vendors use colours and chemicals to make them look attractive and to earn more profits,” said a fruit wholesaler. It may be difficult to resist the temptation, but experts warn that people should be careful about eating them. Dr Deepak Singla, a city-based gastroenterologist, said mangoes are premature and are usually ripened with the help of calcium carbide and can invite a host of ailments. Fruits have fibre and are an essential element in our daily diet. But people should be careful while eating fruits and buy these from reliable sources. 

Awareness the key

  • Go for seasonal fruits and vegetables
  • Wash fruits thoroughly before consuming
  • Always cut fruit into pieces rather than consuming directly
  • Fruits that have a uniform colour are more likely to have been artificially ripened

Fact file

  • The colours used in artificial ripening of fruits and vegetables include sudan red, methanol yellow and lead chromate
  • Carbide, which is used to ripen the fruit, is harmful for the liver and kidney, while methanol yellow can cause cancer, stomach ailments and degeneration of the male reproductive organs
  • Lead chromate can cause anaemia, brain damage and blindness
  • Sudan red is also harmful for stomach and digestion