FSSAI urges states to intensify inspections against illegal ripening agents, synthetic coatings in fruits

HORNBILL TV

The FSSAI has urged states and UTs to intensify inspections against illegal ripening agents, and synthetic coatings in fruits.

New Delhi [India], May 21 (HBTV): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged all States and Union Territories to intensify inspections and conduct special enforcement drives to curb the illegal use of non-permitted fruit ripening agents, synthetic colouring, and coatings on fruits.

In an official release, the FSSAI directed the Commissioners of Food Safety across all States and UTs, along with its Regional Directors, to maintain strict vigilance over fruit markets and mandis, particularly focusing on the use of ripening agents such as calcium carbide, commonly known as 'masala'.

As part of this enforcement campaign, the FSSAI has suggested inspections of godowns and storage facilities, especially those suspected of using calcium carbide for artificial ripening. The presence of calcium carbide on the premises or stored alongside fruit crates will be treated as circumstantial evidence against the concerned Food Business Operator (FBO), which may lead to prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.

The release emphasised that calcium carbide is strictly prohibited for artificially ripening fruits under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. Its use poses severe health hazards, including mouth ulcers, gastric irritation, and potential carcinogenic effects.

The FSSAI also raised concerns over the use of ethephon solution by some FBOs, particularly for ripening bananas and other fruits, where fruits are directly dipped into the chemical. In response, the Authority has issued a guidance document titled Artificial Ripening of Fruits – Ethylene Gas: A Safe Fruit Ripener.

The document states that ethephon may be used only as a source for generating ethylene gas, and strictly in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prescribed by the FSSAI. This SOP outlines critical parameters, including chamber requirements, handling conditions, sources and application of ethylene gas, post-treatment operations, and overall safety protocols.

The FSSAI warned that any violation of these guidelines will attract strict penal action under the FSS Act, 2006. It has urged all stakeholders in the fruit supply chain—including FBOs and consumers—to stay vigilant and ensure that only safe and legally compliant fruits enter the market, thereby upholding food safety and quality standards. (ANI)