Food regulator FSSAI has asked traders and food businesses not to use 'calcium carbide', a banned product, for ripening fruits.
In an official statement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has warned traders, fruit handlers and food business operators (FBOs) operating ripening rooms to strictly adhere to the ban on calcium carbide for artificial ripening. I did,” he said. During fruit season especially mango. ”
FSSAI has also directed the State/UT Food Safety Authorities to remain vigilant and take serious action against those indulging in such illegal activities as per the provisions of FSS Act, 2006 and the rules/regulations made thereunder. It recommended that strict action be taken.
“Calcium carbide, commonly used to ripen fruits such as mangoes, releases acetylene gas, which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorous.”
“These substances, also known as 'masalas', can cause serious health problems such as dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty swallowing, vomiting and skin ulcers,” FSSAI said. Stated.
Additionally, acetylene gas is equally dangerous to those who handle it.
“Calcium carbide may come into direct contact with fruit during application, leaving arsenic and phosphorus residues on the fruit,” the regulator said.
Because of these risks, the use of calcium carbide in fruit ripening is prohibited by the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction of Sale) Regulations 2011.
The regulation states: “No person shall sell, offer, or publish for sale any fruit that has been artificially ripened using acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas, or under any description. However, it must not be placed on the premises for the purpose of sale.''
Considering the issue of rampant use of banned calcium carbide, FSSAI has allowed the use of ethylene gas as a safer alternative for fruit ripening in India.
Ethylene gas can be used in concentrations up to 100 ppm, depending on the crop, variety and maturity.
Ethylene, a naturally occurring hormone in fruits, controls the ripening process by initiating and regulating a series of chemical and biochemical activities.
When unripe fruit is treated with ethylene gas, the natural ripening process begins until the fruit itself begins to produce large amounts of ethylene.
Additionally, the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Board (CIB & RC) has approved Ethephon 39 Percent SL for uniform ripening of mango and other fruits.
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