A recent incident reported from Kerala made headlines. It is learnt that three Kerala state bus drivers failed their routine morning breathalyser test even though they were absolutely sober. The reason being not consumption of alcohol but having eaten jackfruit before the test. The sugar in over ripened fruits reportedly undergoes natural fermentation. The yeast breaks down sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide. While the amount of alcohol produced is typically low and not enough to cause intoxication, it can still be detected by sensitive breathalyzers. Ripe bananas can reportedly contain up to 0.5g of alcohol per 100g. This reaction is more prominent in places with tropical climates like Goa. Breathalyzers are designed to detect alcohol in the breath, and they cannot differentiate between ethanol from alcoholic beverages and ethanol produced by fermentation in fruits. Only a blood sample can give a correct analysis of the presence of alcohol in the body. With new, stricter tests for alcohol consumption, drivers better take note. Incidentally use of mouthwash and breath spray, which also contain alcohol can reportedly also give a high reading even if one has not been consuming alcohol.
