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Gujarat keen to replace calcium carbide with ethylene gas for mango ripening
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Monday, 11 April, 2011, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Irum Khan, Mumbai
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With the upcoming mango season, the Gujarat Food & Drug Control Administration (FDCA) is determined to curb the use of calcium carbide for fruits ripening, particularly mangoes, in the state, as the chemical is believed to have harmful effect on human health.
In a one-day training programme on “Awareness on fruit ripening using scientific and legal methods,” organised by the FDCA for wholesale fruit merchants, retailers and other stakeholders, the premier law enforcement agency for food and drugs, encouraged the manufacturers to use ethylene gas as an alternative to calcium carbide. The programme was attended by around 150 participants.
“Ethylene gas helps in ripening mangoes without spoiling the taste and retaining the original flavour, whereas calcium carbide which is primarily for industrial use, is dangerous for health. The acetylene gas produced by calcium carbide is used for welding metallic steel. Besides, it destroys the sweetness and flavour of the fruit,” said H G Koshia, commissioner, FDCA, Gujarat.
“Rule 44-AA of the PFA (Prevention of Food Adulteration Act) Rules, 1955, prohibits the use of carbide gas for ripening of fruits,” reiterated the commissioner. The penalty for violation includes an imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years and a fine.
Last year, on its drive to curb the rampant use of calcium carbide, the FDCA conducted raids on 298 premises in the state, seizing 150 kg of calcium carbide and destroying around 10 tonnes of the chemical.
This year it wants to be more vigilant and will be placing stricter control mechanisms at the border areas as the imports of artificially ripened fruits mostly enter Gujarat from the southern states.
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