Food regulator FSSAI has asked traders and food business operators not to exploit banned product ‘calcium carbide’ for ripening fruits.
In an official statement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said that it has “alerted traders/fruit processors/food business operators (FBOs) operating ripening chambers to strictly ensure compliance with the ban on the exploit of calcium carbide for artificial ripening fruits, especially during mango season.”
FSSAI has also directed the Food Safety Departments of States/UTs to remain vigilant and take sedate action and deal strictly with the person(s) engaging in such illegal practices in accordance with the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006 and the rules/regulations made thereunder.
“Calcium carbide, commonly used to ripen fruits such as mangoes, releases acetylene, which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus.”
“These substances, also known as “Masala”, can cause sedate health problems such as dizziness, repeated thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, skin ulcers, etc.” FSSAI said.
Moreover, acetylene is equally hazardous to people who come into contact with it.
“There is a risk that calcium carbide may come into direct contact with the fruit during exploit and leave arsenic and phosphorus residues on the fruit,” the regulator said.
Due to these risks, the exploit of calcium carbide for ripening fruit has been banned under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction of Sales) Regulations 2011.
The regulation expressly states: “No person shall sell, offer, offer for sale or keep on his premises for sale under any description any fruit artificially ripened by the exploit of acetylene, commonly known as carbide gas.”
Taking note of the issue of widespread exploit of banned calcium carbide, FSSAI has allowed the exploit of ethylene as a safer alternative during fruit ripening in India.
Ethylene gas can be used at concentrations up to 100 ppm, depending on the crop, variety and maturity.
Ethylene, a hormone naturally found in fruits, regulates the ripening process by initiating and controlling a number of chemical and biochemical activities.
Treating unripe fruit with ethylene gas triggers the natural ripening process until the fruit itself begins to produce ethylene in significant amounts.
Moreover, the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Board (CIB and RC) have approved Ethephon 39% SL for uniform ripening of mangoes and other fruits.
