Beware of Contaminated Mangoes! Food Safety Officials Seize 4,500 kg Artificially Ripened Mangoes

On Thursday, officials from the Food Safety Department seized 4,500 kg of chemically ripened mangoes from two fruit stores in Gandhi Market, Tiruchirapalli. This action was taken after complaints from the general public.

According to a press release from R. Ramesh Babu, Designated Officer, Food Safety and Drug Administration department, the seized mangoes were later destroyed at the Ariyamangalam garbage yard.

Ethylene is used to ripen fruits like mangoes at controlled levels in a chamber. However, using ethylene sachets in direct contact with mangoes is prohibited since the amount of gas released cannot be controlled, and the fruits mature in a day rather than the required 36 hours in a specific chamber.

The non-uniform color of artificially ripened fruits can be used to identify them. Artificially ripened fruits should be avoided, according to health experts, as they might cause gastric problems, stomach ulcers, and even cancer.

Issue of Food Adulteration in India

Food adulteration is the intentional downgrading of the quality of food provided for sale, either by the addition or substitution of inferior substances, or the removal of a valuable ingredient. Food adulterants are foreign and often inferior chemical substances found in the diet that cause harm or are unpleasant in the food.

India's business is fuelled by adulteration. Food is a popular target because it's easy to tamper with and get away with. To make turmeric powders look brighter, they are combined with artificial colors.

Dried papaya seeds with peppercorns Sawdust and coriander powder. Tea leaves that are all the same color. Tamarind seeds with coffee seeds to make them look colorful, different veggies are dyed, and some of them are carcinogenic. Chilli powder is mixed with the brick powder.

It isn't the only food that sells; it is anything that sells; petrol, diesel, and even drinking water. However, the government is working to build a coherent solution to the ongoing issue of food adulteration.

To fight food adulteration, the FSSAI has recommended adding a new clause to the Food Safety Standards (FSS) Act, which was first passed in 2006. After all, our health is at stake, and, as the old saying goes, "Health is Wealth."