Guwahati
In its ongoing campaign against carbide-treated fruits, the Assam Food Safety Department recently conducted raids in the Fancy Bazar area of Guwahati, seizing a significant quantity of mangoes found to contain carbide. Similar operations were carried out in the Bongaigaon district, aimed at upholding food safety standards.
A senior official from the Food Safety department disclosed that their team inspected fruit markets in Guwahati’s Fancy Bazar, as well as Pagalasthan and Barabazar in Bongaigaon, examining various fruits, including mangoes. Samples were collected for laboratory testing to verify compliance with safety regulations.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued warnings to traders, fruit handlers, and Food Business Operators (FBOs) regarding the use of calcium carbide for artificial fruit ripening, especially during mango season. FSSAI urges state authorities to enforce strict penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, against individuals resorting to such prohibited practices.
Calcium carbide, commonly employed for fruit ripening, releases harmful acetylene gas containing arsenic and phosphorus residues, known as ‘Masala’. Exposure to these substances can lead to severe health complications. Due to these risks, FSSAI permits the use of ethylene gas as a safer alternative for fruit ripening, while Ethephon 39 per cent SL has been approved by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee for uniform ripening of mangoes and other fruits.
