The FSSAI encourages retailers and food business operators to follow the correct process for artificial ripening

Ahead of the key mango season in the country, the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has instructed traders, fruit traders and food business operators (FBOs) to ensure they do not use calcium carbide, a banned material, as a ripening agent for fruit. It added that strict measures will be taken against failing FBOs.

According to FSSAI regulations, the use of calcium carbide, also known as masala, is prohibited because it is harmful to humans.

The Food Safety Authority said in its most recent order that it has been brought to its attention cases of traders and greengrocers who continue to use the banned material calcium carbide for artificially ripening fruit. It also mentioned instances of improper use of “approved sources of ethylene gas,” such as immersing fruit in ripening agent solutions, that could render the fruit unsafe for human consumption.

“All merchants/fruit merchants/FBOs operating ripening chambers are instructed to strictly follow the standard operating procedure for ethylene gas artificial ripening,” it said. She added that such food business operators must refrain from using banned materials or misusing permitted sources of ethylene to artificially ripen the fruit. “Any such incident that is noticed must be dealt with severely and serious action will be taken against the person(s) engaging in such illegal practices under the provisions of the FSS Act 2006 and the rules/regulations made thereunder” , added the FSSAI.

Safe agent

Artificial ripening methods are used to facilitate the transportation of fruits such as mangoes, which must be transported across the country in an unripe state. Mangoes become soft and perishable after ripening and cannot be transported in this state. It is also done to achieve optimal maturation to improve consumer acceptability.

“To ensure that fruit ripening is tightly regulated in accordance with permitted practices using only approved sources of ethylene, the FSSAI has recognized “ethylene” as a safe ripening agent at levels up to 100 ppm (100 μL/L) on crop, cultivar and maturity through sources like Ethephon, Ethereum, etc.,” the FSSAI reiterated.

The Food Safety Authority reiterated that it has notified a standard operating procedure detailing all aspects of artificially ripening fruit using approved sources of ethylene gas.

The FSSAI has also urged consumers to report to the relevant state commissioners of food safety if they encounter wrong practices in the artificial ripening of fruit