Artificially ripened mangoes in India again
The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) must expand its operations in testing the food imported into the country.
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By
Azhaar Abdul Azeez
In a May crackdown by food safety officials, over 2.5 tonnes of artificially ripened mangoes were confiscated from shops and warehouses in India. The use of chemicals for ripening fruits poses serious health risks, and consumers in India and abroad need to be aware of how to identify contaminated produce. This is particularly sensitive to Maldives, since a large number of food items are brought in from India.
How are fruits artificially ripened?
“Calcium carbide, commonly used for ripening fruits like mangoes, releases acetylene gas, which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus. These substances, also known as ‘Masala’, can cause serious health issues such as dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting and skin ulcers, etc,” Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said.
Health Complications from Consuming artificially ripened fruits
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Calcium carbide can induce prolonged hypoxia
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Headache
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Dizziness
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High sleepiness
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Memory loss
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Cerebral edema
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Numbness in legs and hands
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General weakness
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Cold and damp skin
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Low blood pressure
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Seizures
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Unripe fruits with yellow exteriors can cause health issues such as:
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Skin allergy
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Diarrhoea
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Vomiting
According to experts, mangoes ripened with calcium carbide may have black spots and a stronger smell than naturally ripened mangoes, due to which people should be cautious. If the mango looks excessively yellow, then you should avoid buying such mangoes.
Experts also say baking soda can help you get rid of the chemical residue on mangoes. In a litre of water, add a tablespoon of baking soda. To that mixture, soak the mangoes for 15-20 minutes. Take them out and wash them nicely with your hands, and they will be relatively safe to consume.
A team of researchers led by the head of the food science and technology department of Pondicherry University in India said they have developed a simple, rapid and cost-effective method to detect artificial ripening of fruits.
The team developed a sensor solution (with bio-functionalized gold nanoparticles). They also said that reputed laboratories have begun validating the sensor solution so that it can be released soon. It will also aid the authorities to enforce regulations, with such a simple method to test.
Act Now
The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) must expand its operations in testing the food imported into the country since the world is brimming with food producers who do not care for sustainability. As a nation that produces very little of its own food, the whole of the responsibility of sourcing our food supplies sustainably lay on MFDA.
