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India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
FSSAI urges states to intensify inspections against illegal ripening agents, synthetic coatings in fruits
New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged all States and Union Territories to intensify inspections and carry out special enforcement drives to curb the illegal use of non-permitted fruit ripening agents and the colouring and coating of fruits with synthetic colours or non-permitted wax, according to a release. The Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/UTs and Regional Directors of FSSAI have been requested to maintain strict vigilance over fruit markets and mandis, to curb illegal use of fruit ripening using agents like calcium carbide, commonly known as 'masala'. As part of the enforcement drive, go-downs and storage facilities, particularly those suspected of using substances like calcium carbide for ripening, may be inspected. The presence of calcium carbide on the premises or stored alongside crates of fruits will be treated as circumstantial evidence against the Food Business Operator (FBO), potentially leading to prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006. According to the release, calcium carbide is strictly prohibited for the artificial ripening of fruits under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The use of this substance poses serious health risks. It is known to cause mouth ulcers, gastric irritation, and carcinogenic properties. Further, FSSAI has also identified cases where FBOs are using ethephon solution to artificially ripen bananas and other fruits by dipping them directly into the chemical. In this context, the Authority has issued a comprehensive guidance document titled 'Artificial Ripening of Fruits - Ethylene Gas: A Safe Fruit Ripener' The release noted that the document clearly states that ethephon may be used only as a source for generating ethylene gas and strictly in accordance with the prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). This SOP details all critical aspects of artificial ripening using ethylene gas, including restrictions, chamber requirements, handling conditions, sources of ethylene gas, application protocols, post-treatment operations, and safety guidelines. FSSAI urges all Food Business Operators to adhere to these SOPs to ensure safe and compliant ripening practices. FSSAI reiterates that any violation of these norms will attract strict penal action under the FSS Act, 2006. The Authority encourages all stakeholders in the supply chain, including FBOs and consumers, to remain vigilant and ensure that only safe and legally compliant fruits reach the market to ensure food safety and quality. (ANI)
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Carry out inspections to curb use of illegal ripening agents, synthetic coatings on fruits: FSSAI asks states
NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Tuesday urged all states and Union Territories to intensify inspections and carry out special enforcement drives to curb the illegal use of non-permitted fruit ripening agents, as well as colouring and coating of fruits with synthetic colours or non-permitted wax. The Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/UTs and Regional Directors of FSSAI have been requested to maintain strict vigilance over fruit markets and mandis, to curb illegal use of fruit ripening using agents like calcium carbide, commonly known as 'masala,' according to a statement. As part of the enforcement drive, inspection of go-downs and storage facilities, particularly those suspected of using substances like calcium carbide for ripening may be carried out. 'The presence of calcium carbide on the premises or stored alongside crates of fruits will be treated as circumstantial evidence against the Food Business Operator (FBO), potentially leading to prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006,' the statement added. Calcium carbide is strictly prohibited for the artificial ripening of fruits under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The use of this substance poses serious health risks and is known to cause mouth ulcers, gastric irritation and has carcinogenic properties.
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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
FSSAI directs states to curb synthetic colouring, carbide use on fruits
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all States and Union Territories to intensify inspections and launch targeted enforcement campaigns against the unlawful use of unauthorised ripening agents and synthetic coatings or colouring on fruits. In an official directive, FSSAI instructed Commissioners of Food Safety across states and UTs, along with its regional directors, to increase surveillance in fruit markets and wholesale distribution centres (mandis) to prevent the use of hazardous substances such as calcium carbide—commonly referred to as 'masala'—for artificially ripening fruits. 'As part of the enforcement drive, inspection of godowns and storage facilities, particularly those suspected of using substances like calcium carbide for ripening, may be carried out,' FSSAI said in a press release. The presence of calcium carbide at a site or stored near fruit consignments will be treated as circumstantial evidence and may result in legal proceedings against the concerned Food Business Operators (FBOs) under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006. The use of calcium carbide is strictly prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The chemical poses serious health risks, including mouth ulcers, digestive disorders, and potential carcinogenic effects. Additionally, FSSAI flagged instances where some FBOs were immersing bananas and other fruits directly in ethephon solution for artificial ripening—an unsafe and non-compliant method. In response, the Authority had earlier released a comprehensive guidance note titled Artificial Ripening of Fruits – Ethylene Gas: A Safe Fruit Ripener. The document outlines approved methods for using ethylene gas generated from ethephon, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for storage, application, ripening chamber specifications, safety protocols, and handling. FSSAI has strongly advised all stakeholders to adhere strictly to these SOPs to ensure safe and lawful fruit ripening practices. Any violation will attract stringent penalties under the FSS Act. The Authority also urged all FBOs, supply chain stakeholders, and consumers to remain vigilant and ensure that only safe, properly ripened fruits reach the public, thereby upholding the highest standards of food safety and public health.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
FSSAI asks States to curb use of illegal ripening agents, synthetic coatings on fruits
Food regulator FSSAI has asked all states to check illegal use of ripening agents and synthetic coatings for fruits as part of its efforts ensue safe food for people. "The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged all States and Union Territories to intensify inspections and carry out special enforcement drives to curb the illegal use of non-permitted fruit ripening agents , as well as colouring and coating of fruits with synthetic colours or non-permitted wax," the regulator said in a statement on Tuesday. The Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/UTs and Regional Directors of FSSAI have been requested to maintain strict vigilance over fruit markets and mandis, to curb illegal use of fruit ripening using agents like calcium carbide , commonly known as 'masala'. As part of the enforcement drive, FSSAI has suggested that inspection of godowns and storage facilities, particularly those suspected of using substances like calcium carbide for ripening, may be carried out. "The presence of calcium carbide on the premises or stored alongside crates of fruits will be treated as circumstantial evidence against the Food Business Operator (FBO), potentially leading to prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006," it said. Calcium carbide is strictly prohibited for the artificial ripening of fruits under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. Live Events "The use of this substance poses serious health risks and is known to cause mouth ulcers, gastric irritation and has carcinogenic properties," the regulator pointed out. Further, FSSAI has also identified cases where FBOs are using ethephon solution to artificially ripen bananas and other fruits by dipping them directly into the chemical. In this context, the Authority has issued a comprehensive guidance document titled "Artificial Ripening of Fruits - Ethylene Gas: A Safe Fruit Ripener". The document clearly states that ethephon could be used only as a source for generating ethylene gas and strictly in accordance with the prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). This SOP details all critical aspects of artificial ripening using ethylene gas, including restrictions, chamber requirements, handling conditions, sources of ethylene gas, application protocols, post-treatment operations, and safety guidelines. "FSSAI urges all Food Business Operators to adhere to these SOPs to ensure safe and compliant ripening practices," it said. The regulator warned that any violation of these norms will attract strict penal action.
