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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.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
UP CM Adityanath directs officials to address growing concerns over food safety, adulteration
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a crucial meeting on Wednesday with officials from the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department in Lucknow. The meeting addressed growing concerns over food safety and adulteration in the state. CM Yogi emphasised that the health of the ordinary people is the top priority of the state government, and this responsibility should be fulfilled with complete transparency and commitment. During the meeting, CM Yogi directed officials to take strict action against food adulteration and fake medicine trade , terming these acts as "social crimes" that significantly threaten public health . He instructed that offenders' photos be displayed at major intersections to deter others and raise awareness. The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, noting the expansion of food and drug laboratories across the state. Twelve divisions, including Aligarh, Ayodhya, and Varanasi, have established new laboratories, and existing ones in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Jhansi have been upgraded. Modern microbiology laboratories have also been established in Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi. CM Yogi emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in the food safety process. The FSDA has implemented a password-protected barcode system to ensure the confidentiality and impartiality of sample analysis. A mobile app, "Food Safety Connect," and a toll-free number have been introduced to encourage public participation. The meeting also discussed investment and job creation in the medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors. Proposals worth Rs 1,470 crore were approved in the last three years, resulting in direct employment for over 3,340 people.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Food adulterators to be named and shamed in UP, says Yogi
1 2 Lucknow: Calling adulteration of food items and medicines a "social crime", CM Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said those found indulging in such activities should be publicly shamed with their photos displayed at major crossings in a meeting of the department of food safety and drug administration, he said identifying offenders and displaying their photos would deter others. He also directed officials to take the strictest possible action against the culprits in such cases. "Daily consumables like oil, ghee, spices, milk and cheese should be tested, preferably at the production units. Special teams should be formed for intensive checks on milk and dairy products, ensuring continuous monitoring," he addition to this, the CM said, professional blood donors should be identified, and effective control should be established in this area. During the meeting, officials told the CM that in addition to the six major divisions in which food and drug laboratories were previously operating, new laboratories and offices were established in Aligarh, Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Bareilly, Basti, Chitrakoot, Kanpur, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Prayagraj, Saharanpur and Devi Patan divisions. The laboratory buildings in Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Jhansi were also modern microbiology laboratories were set up in Lucknow, Meerut and Varanasi, where testing for microorganisms, protozoa, viruses, bacteria, mycotoxins and other pathogens can be carried out. Testing has already started in Lucknow and Meerut. The CM said that a corpus fund could be set up for the operation and maintenance of these laboratories. To control the trade of fake drugs, the CM directed the department to closely coordinate with the police department for better implemented a password-protected barcode system to make the food safety process transparent and accountable, ensuring the confidentiality and impartiality of sample analysis, said an official. He added that each sample is tested digitally by scientists and is considered valid only after approval from senior officials. The department also introduced a mobile app called 'Food Safety Connect' and a toll-free number 1800-180-5533 on which complaints can be said that investment proposals worth Rs 1,470 crore were approved at FSDA in the last three years, resulting in direct employment for over 3,340 people. An official said that an unprecedented increase in pharmaceutical manufacturing units, medical device production, blood banks and retail medicine sellers took place recently, and over 65,000 new jobs were created in retail drug stores alone in the past three years.
India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
UP CM Adityanath directs officials to address growing concerns over food safety, adulteration
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 14 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a crucial meeting on Wednesday with officials from the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department in Lucknow. The meeting addressed growing concerns over food safety and adulteration in the state. CM Yogi emphasised that the health of the ordinary people is the top priority of the state government, and this responsibility should be fulfilled with complete transparency and commitment. During the meeting, CM Yogi directed officials to take strict action against food adulteration and fake medicine trade, terming these acts as 'social crimes' that significantly threaten public health. He instructed that offenders' photos be displayed at major intersections to deter others and raise awareness. The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, noting the expansion of food and drug laboratories across the state. Twelve divisions, including Aligarh, Ayodhya, and Varanasi, have established new laboratories, and existing ones in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Jhansi have been upgraded. Modern microbiology laboratories have also been established in Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi. CM Yogi emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in the food safety process. The FSDA has implemented a password-protected barcode system to ensure the confidentiality and impartiality of sample analysis. A mobile app, 'Food Safety Connect,' and a toll-free number have been introduced to encourage public participation. The meeting also discussed investment and job creation in the medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors. Proposals worth Rs 1,470 crore were approved in the last three years, resulting in direct employment for over 3,340 people (ANI).
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Yogi orders crackdown on food adulteration, fake medicines
Declaring food adulteration and sale of counterfeit medicines as 'social crimes', Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has called for stringent action under the state's zero-tolerance policy. Chairing a high-level meeting with the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) here on Wednesday, Yogi directed a statewide crackdown to identify and act against individuals involved in food and drug adulteration. In a first-of-its-kind deterrent, he ordered that photographs of convicted offenders be displayed at major intersections. He said that daily consumables like oil, ghee, spices, milk, and cheese should be tested, preferably at the production units. He also called for formation of special teams for intensive checks on milk and dairy products to ensure continuous monitoring. 'Additionally, professional blood donors should be identified, and effective control be established in this area,' he said, adding public health is the state's top priority and must be handled with full transparency and commitment. A government spokesperson said that the network of food and drug laboratories in the state has expanded rapidly. In addition to the six major divisions previously operating, new laboratories and offices have been established in Aligarh, Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Bareilly, Basti, Chitrakoot, Kanpur, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Prayagraj, Saharanpur, and Devi Patan divisions. The laboratory buildings in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Jhansi have also been upgraded. Moreover, three modern microbiology laboratories have been set up in Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi, enabling the testing of microorganisms, protozoa, viruses, bacteria, mycotoxins, and other pathogens. Testing has already started in Lucknow and Meerut. The chief minister suggested setting up a 'Corpus Fund' for the operation and maintenance of these laboratories. To effectively rein in the fake drug trade, the chief minister directed that coordination with the police be improved to ensure the quality and effectiveness of enforcement actions. The progress of actions to ensure the quality of medicines was also reviewed in the meeting. Officials told the chief minister that to make the food safety process transparent and accountable, the FSDA has implemented a password-protected barcode system, ensuring the confidentiality and impartiality of sample analysis. Each sample is tested digitally by scientists and is considered valid only after approval from senior officials. CM Yogi also called for enhanced coordination with police forces to tackle fake medicine rackets and emphasised speedy, citizen-satisfactory grievance redressal through the 'Food Safety Connect' mobile app and helpline (1800-180-5533). Highlighting the government's success in attracting investment in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors, CM Yogi said that proposals to the tune of over ₹1,470 crore have been cleared in the past three years, creating more than 3,340 direct jobs. Retail pharmacy expansion has led to 65,000 new jobs across the state, he added. To reinforce enforcement capacity, the chief minister directed the FSDA to expedite recruitment to fill existing vacancies, ensuring no compromise on public health and safety.
