Latest news with #Ethephon
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Chemically Ripened Mangoes Pose Serious Health Risks; Authorities Urged to Act Swiftly
Gadwal: With the mango season in full swing, concerns are mounting over the illegal and dangerous practice of artificially ripening mangoes using banned chemicals like calcium carbide. Despite repeated warnings from food safety authorities, several fruit vendors and wholesale dealers continue to use harmful substances to speed up ripening, posing serious health risks to consumers. The Dangerous Practice Behind the Scenes Calcium carbide, a chemical compound commonly used in welding, is being misused to ripen mangoes. When it comes into contact with moisture, calcium carbide releases acetylene gas, a substance that mimics ethylene—a natural plant hormone responsible for fruit ripening. However, acetylene gas is toxic and unsafe for human consumption. In addition to calcium carbide, other chemicals like Ethephon, a plant growth regulator, are also used. These substances can break down essential nutrients in the fruit and leave behind harmful residues that may lead to acute and chronic health problems. Health Hazards of Artificial Ripening Consumption of mangoes ripened with calcium carbide can cause a wide range of health issues: Short-term effects: Headaches, dizziness, nausea, throat irritation, vomiting, skin rashes, and diarrhea. Long-term effects: Hormonal imbalances, liver and kidney damage, nervous system disorders, and even cancer. Residues can lead to the formation of arsenic and phosphorus hydrides, both of which are highly toxic. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to these health hazards. How to Identify Artificially Ripened Mangoes Consumers are advised to stay vigilant. Artificially ripened mangoes may: Have a chemical smell instead of a natural fruity aroma. Be unusually soft or mushy in texture. Show patchy or pale yellow color with white or grayish spots. Have a bland or bitter taste, unlike naturally sweet ripe mangoes. Show external bruises or uneven ripening. In water tests (though not foolproof), natural mangoes sink, while chemically ripened ones may float. Legal Consequences for Sellers Selling chemically ripened mangoes is a punishable offense under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Key provisions include: Imprisonment up to 6 years and a fine of up to Rs. 5 lakhs for selling unsafe food. Section 272 & 273 of IPC: Adulteration and sale of harmful food can lead to imprisonment and fines. Use of calcium carbide is banned by the FSSAI, and violators may face prosecution, shop closures, license suspension, and even imprisonment in severe cases. How to Report Such Cases Citizens who suspect the sale of artificially ripened mangoes can take the following steps: Call FSSAI's toll-free helpline: 1800-11-2100 WhatsApp photos or complaints to +91-9868686868 Report via FSSAI's online portal: Use the 'Food Safety Connect' app on Android/iOS. Report to the local Food Safety Officer, municipal health department, or police station. Complainants are encouraged to provide evidence such as shop details, photos, and medical symptoms (if applicable). Authorities can seize the fruit, penalize violators, and take legal action. A Call for Awareness and Vigilance Experts and health officials urge the public to buy mangoes from trusted sources, prefer seasonal local vendors who do not engage in forced ripening, and avoid overly polished, spotless fruits that may be artificially treated. A naturally ripened mango will always have a balanced aroma, color, and texture. Authorities have been requested to intensify inspections across local markets, especially in Gadwal and surrounding mandals, to ensure public health is not compromised during the mango season. Citizen awareness and strict enforcement are crucial to curbing this dangerous practice.
Hans India
25-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Carbide-blended mangoes can lead to health complications & infertility
Hyderabad: Raising serious health concerns, many experts have cautioned that long-term use of calcium carbide to ripen fruits could lead to respiratory issues and even infertility due to the toxic by-products. The harmful impurities such as arsenic and phosphorus are known to cause kidney and liver damage, they warned. With the onset of summer, the markets in the city are flooded with mangoes. Also, there is a rise in the use of calcium carbide to ripen these mangoes. According to experts, the use of chemicals like calcium carbide causes hormonal imbalance, besides leading to health problems like dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, skin ulcers, and even neurological disorders. Dr. Kiran Madala, convenor of the scientific committee of Indian Medical Association (IMA), pointed out that calcium carbide contains harmful impurities such as arsenic and phosphorus, known to cause kidney and liver damage after long exposure. He said that long-term use of calcium carbide-ripened fruits has been associated with respiratory issues and even infertility due to its toxic byproducts. He clarified that in contrast, ethephon releases ethylene, a natural plant hormone responsible for ripening. Used appropriately, ethephon has no known systemic toxic effects. Unlike ethylene, calcium carbide produces acetylene gas, which only mimics ethylene but is toxic and unsafe for consumption. The food safety wing of Telangana's health department has launched an awareness campaign against the rampant use of carbide to ripen fruits and also to encourage the use of natural methods for ripening mangoes. On its part, the government has appealed to mango traders and vendors to adopt traditional, non-toxic methods for ripening mangoes. The government is promoting the use of Ethephon (2 chloroethylphosphonic acid), a 500 mg sachet of which can be used for a box of 10 kg of fruits. Ethephon is a plant growth regulator that accelerates fruit ripening and boosts coloration. It works by releasing ethylene, a hormone that plays a key role in fruit ripening and other plant processes. Ethephon is a phosphorus-based compound, which when applied to plants, releases ethylene. Ethylene then influences various plant processes, including ripening and maturation, according to experts. Senior paediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh said that organophosphorus is eternally dangerous. It is not good for the body as these are basically poisonous. Dr. Santosh was also against the use of ethephon as it also contains phosphorus-based compounds. Meanwhile, the authorities have urged people, particularly the consumers, to lodge complaints against errant traders and those guilty of ripening fruits using carbide, on mobile number 9100105795.
Hans India
23-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Govt to crack whip on calcium carbide use in fruit ripening
Hyderabad: With Mango season on and indiscriminate use of carbide to ripen the fruit in the market, the Government has decided to crack a whip on the fruit vendors using the chemical. The authorities have suggested use of Ethephon (2 chloroethylphosphonic acid). The food safety wing of the Health Department has unleashed an awareness programme in the wake of rampant use of carbide to ripen the fruits and also to encourage the use of natural methods for ripening of mangoes. The officials said that there was high risk involved in the use of chemicals like calcium carbide, which causes hormonal imbalance and leads to health problems like dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, skin ulcers, and even neurological disorders. According to the health experts, calcium carbide reacts with moisture to produce acetylene gas. This gas is a ripening agent that can cause fruits to soften, change colour, and develop sweetness. However, this artificial ripening does not replicate the natural taste and nutritional benefits of a fruit that has ripened naturally. Calcium carbide residues in fruits can lead to the formation of toxic compounds, such as arsenic and phosphorus hydrides. The acetylene gas itself can also cause respiratory problems and skin irritation. Stressing the importance of public health and food safety, Health Minister C Damodar Raja Narsimha appealed to mango traders and vendors to adopt traditional, non-toxic methods for ripening mangoes. He said that the use of banned chemicals such as carbide for artificial ripening poses serious health hazards and is strictly prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The Minister warned that stringent action will be taken against violators, including penalties and legal proceedings. He instructed food safety officials to intensify surveillance and conduct regular inspections across fruit markets and storage facilities. The authorities have come up with a complaint facility for the citizens. If they find fruit vendors using carbide, they can contact on phone number 9100105795. The government is promoting the use of Ethephon (2 chloroethylphosphonic acid). One Ethephon sachet of 500 mg can be used for a box of ten kilogram fruits. Ethephon is a plant growth regulator that accelerates fruit ripening, improves fruit coloration. It works by releasing ethylene, a hormone that plays a key role in fruit ripening and other plant processes. Ethephon is a phosphorus-based compound that, when applied to plants, breaks down and releases ethylene. Ethylene then influences various plant processes, including ripening and maturation.
The Hindu
21-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Telangana promotes Ethephon over banned Calcium Carbide for fruit ripening
With the arrival of mango season, the Telangana Food Safety department on Monday (April 21, 2025) has launched an awareness drive urging farmers, traders, and consumers to adopt safe methods for ripening fruits. Health Minister for Health C. Damodar Raja Narasimha, who launched the poster, said that the use of banned chemicals such as Calcium Carbide for artificial ripening poses serious health hazards and is strictly prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards Act Ethephon recommended for controlled ripening Instead, the department recommends using Ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid), a safer alternative approved for controlled ripening. According to the guidelines, one 500mg sachet of Ethephon is sufficient for ripening 10 kilograms of fruit. Why is Ethephon used? Ethephon is a plant growth regulator commonly used in farming to help fruits ripen faster, promote flowering, or make leaves and fruits drop easily for harvesting. How to use Ethephon for ripening fruits? To use the chemical correctly, the Ethephon sachet should first be soaked in water and then placed inside a small plastic container, such as a soap box. This box must then be placed inside the airtight fruit box, which should be kept sealed for 24 hours to ensure effective ripening, as per the information in the poster. In case of violations, people can dial 9100105795 to lodge complaints.
