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States told to monitor sale of fruits for use of unauthorised ripening agents
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Saturday, 24 May, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The FSSAI has urged state food safety commissioners to monitor the sale of fresh fruits for use of unauthorised or prohibited artificial ripening agents.
In a direction to all the states, the FSSAI has said that ensuring food safety and quality is a collective responsibility shared by all stakeholders across the food supply chain and chemical agents such as Calcium Carbide/ Acetylene gas etc., used for artificial ripening, is an illegal and unsafe practice.
The FSSAI observed that calcium carbide, commonly referred to as "masala," is still being used by some errant FBOs for the artificial ripening of fruits such as mangoes, bananas, and papayas due to its low cost and maintenance. However, its use as a ripening agent is prohibited under Regulation 2.3.5 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.
Furthermore, it has come to notice of FSSAI that some FBOs are engaging in the practice of dipping fruits in ethephon solution for artificial ripening of bananas and other fruits while FSSAI's Guidance Note on "Artificial Ripening of Fruits Ethylene gas - A Safe Fruit Ripener" clearly states that ethephon may be used as a source for generating ethylene gas only if used in accordance with the prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The SOP strictly prohibits any direct contact between ethylene (in powder or liquid form) and the fruits/vegetables.
In addition to this, the prevalence of other malpractices such as colouring or coating of fruits with synthetic colours or non-permitted wax has also been observed by the Authority.
“In view of the above, all Commissioners of Food Safety of States/UTs and Regional Directors of FSSAI are requested to intensify inspections and maintain strict vigilance over fruit markets/mandis within their respective jurisdictions. Special enforcement drives may also be undertaken to curb the illegal use of calcium carbide or other non-permitted ripening agents/wax and synthetic colours,” reads the direction issued by the FSSAI.
The national food authority has also urged the state food commissioners to initiate penal actions and prosecution as per the FSS Act against the violators.
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