Traders using artificial ripening agent at Vashi APMC market; 146 dozen mangoes seized

On April 24, five officials from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) undertook a sudden inspection of the market and found at least 3 traders to be violating the norms laid down by Food Safety and Standards Regulation Act 2011 for using artificial ripening agents on mangoes.

Mumbai: Around 146 dozen mangoes were seized from the Vashi-based APMC market after the products were allegedly sprayed with artificial ripening agents – ethylene in liquid form. The mangoes have been sent to the laboratory for further inspection.

Following the raid, the Front of United Fruits Association (FUFA), APMC, on April 25, issued an advisory asking the 600-odd traders to follow the regulations and those failing to do so were informed to not expect any form of assistance from the association in event of action from the authorities concerned. (HT PHOTO)

On April 24, five officials from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) undertook a sudden inspection of the market and found at least 3 traders to be violating the norms laid down by Food Safety and Standards Regulation Act 2011 for using artificial ripening agents on mangoes.

While the use of calcium carbide or acetylene gas is completely banned, however, to ripen mangoes, ethylene in the form of gas is permitted in adherence to specific conditions and concentration. “It has been repeatedly conveyed to the traders to adhere to the regulations laid down for artificially ripening the mangoes. As per the regulation, mangoes can be ripened using ethylene sachets and the process is to be done within a chamber. While 90% of the traders follow this process, some resort to spraying the chemical directly onto the product which is not permitted,” said the Director of Fruit Market, Sanjay Pansare.

Following the raid, the Front of United Fruits Association (FUFA), APMC, on April 25, issued an advisory asking the 600-odd traders to follow the regulations and those failing to do so were informed to not expect any form of assistance from the association in event of action from the authorities concerned.

Direct contact with ethylene gas is not permitted. The traders in the market were found to own bottles and materials used for spraying the liquid directly onto the fruits prompting officials to seize the produce.

Officials with FDA stated that with the onset of mangoes, such inspections are conducted regularly to ensure that traders don’t engage in malpractices. “ Over the past few years, the use of calcium carbide has stopped due to consistent checks done by FDA but now traders have found this alternative. There are strict guidelines on the usage of ethylene as an agent for ripening mangoes but directly spraying it on the fruit is not permitted,” said the assistant commissioner, Yogesh Dahane.