Concern over carbide-ripened mangoes in Guwahati mkts

Guwahati: As mangoes flood city markets, there is a growing concern over the artificial ripening of the fruit that is savoured by many in this season.Traders estimate that mangoes account for 40% of total fruit sales during this period, alongside litchi, watermelon and bananas. They claim that mangoes are one of the most sought-after fruits among the consumers. But, officials have warned that many mangoes in the city markets are artificially ripened with calcium carbide, posing potential health risks.“We have found good number of mangoes in the city markets, which were laced with calcium carbide, which artificially accelerates the ripening process. We have destroyed the mangoes following the directive of the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India’s (FSSAI) and have increased the inspection frequency in the markets all across the state,” state food safety officer Anil Sharma said.A series of inspections was carried out last week in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) markets in the Fancy Bazar and Beltola areas. Approximately 700kg of mangoes were seized from Fancy Bazar, while around 20kg were seized from markets in Beltola. “We suspect that these fruits are treated with carbide after arriving in the city, possibly at the wholesale markets, in order to meet the market demands of ripened mangoes. However, we cannot be certain unless we have concrete evidence,” Sharma said.According to the FSSAI, it has permitted the use of ethylene gas in fruits, which may be used up to a concentration of up to 100 ppm.City doctors have pointed out that calcium carbide, which contains impurities such as arsenic and phosphorus compounds are harmful for human health. “Consumption of fruits ripened using calcium carbide may lead to gastrointestinal disorders, neurological complications, and other health issues in the human body,” said Rabindra Nath Mazumdar, a doctor and general surgeon.