New Delhi, Food regulator FSSAI has asked traders and food business operators not to use banned product 'Calcium Carbide' for ripening fruits.
In an official statement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said it has "revised the ban on calcium carbide for artificial ripening for traders/fruit handlers/food business operators (FBOs) operating ripening chambers." is strictly enforced." To ensure compliance “during the season of fruits, especially mangoes”.
FSSAI has advised the Food Safety Departments of States/UTs to remain alert and take serious action and deal strictly with the persons involved in such illegal activities as per the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006, rules/regulations made thereunder.
“Calcium carbide, which is commonly used to ripen fruits like mangoes, releases acetylene gas, which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus."These substances, also known as 'masala', can cause serious health problems like dizziness, thirst, burning sensation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting and skin ulcers," FSSAI said.
Additionally, acetylene gas is equally dangerous for those handling it.
"There is a possibility that calcium carbide may come in direct contact with the fruits during application and may leave arsenic and phosphorus residues on the fruits," the regulator said.
Due to these hazards, the use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits has been banned under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sale) Regulations, 2011.This regulation clearly states, “No person shall possess in his premises any fruit of any description artificially ripened by the use of acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas. Sell or offer for sale or keep in his premises. Sale". Keeping in mind the issue of large-scale use of banned calcium carbide, FSSAI has allowed the use of ethylene gas as a safe alternative for ripening fruits in India.
Ethylene gas can be used in concentrations up to 100 ppm depending on the crop, variety and maturity.
Ethylene, a hormone found naturally in fruits, regulates the ripening process by initiating and controlling a series of chemical and biochemical activities.Treatment of unripe fruits with ethylene gas starts the natural ripening process until the fruit itself begins to produce sufficient amounts of ethylene.
Moreover, Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) has approved Ethephon 39% SL for ripening of mango and other fruits alike.
In an official statement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said it has "revised the ban on calcium carbide for artificial ripening for traders/fruit handlers/food business operators (FBOs) operating ripening chambers." is strictly enforced." To ensure compliance “during the season of fruits, especially mangoes”.
FSSAI has advised the Food Safety Departments of States/UTs to remain alert and take serious action and deal strictly with the persons involved in such illegal activities as per the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006, rules/regulations made thereunder.
“Calcium carbide, which is commonly used to ripen fruits like mangoes, releases acetylene gas, which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus."These substances, also known as 'masala', can cause serious health problems like dizziness, thirst, burning sensation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting and skin ulcers," FSSAI said.
Additionally, acetylene gas is equally dangerous for those handling it.
"There is a possibility that calcium carbide may come in direct contact with the fruits during application and may leave arsenic and phosphorus residues on the fruits," the regulator said.
Due to these hazards, the use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits has been banned under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sale) Regulations, 2011.This regulation clearly states, “No person shall possess in his premises any fruit of any description artificially ripened by the use of acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas. Sell or offer for sale or keep in his premises. Sale". Keeping in mind the issue of large-scale use of banned calcium carbide, FSSAI has allowed the use of ethylene gas as a safe alternative for ripening fruits in India.
Ethylene gas can be used in concentrations up to 100 ppm depending on the crop, variety and maturity.
Ethylene, a hormone found naturally in fruits, regulates the ripening process by initiating and controlling a series of chemical and biochemical activities.Treatment of unripe fruits with ethylene gas starts the natural ripening process until the fruit itself begins to produce sufficient amounts of ethylene.
Moreover, Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) has approved Ethephon 39% SL for ripening of mango and other fruits alike.
