It is learnt that a team of FDA officialS raided the Mapusa sub-yard and seized around 800 kgs. of chemically ripened bananas worth Rs. 65,000 from a wholesale vendor and destroyed it. Artificial ripening is the process by which ripening is controlled to achieve desired characteristics intended for better consumer acceptance and improving sales. The most commonly used chemical is called Ethephon.
It penetrates the fruit and decomposes ethylene. Another compound that is used regularly is calcium carbide, which produces acetylene, which is an analogue of ethylene. Ethylene is responsible for the faster ripening of the fruit. Ethylene is produced naturally by the plants but for the artificial ripening of fruit acetylene gas is used. Industrial-grade calcium carbide is often found contaminated with trace amounts of arsenic and phosphorus, which are toxic chemicals.
According to studies, calcium carbide can also affect the neurological system by inducing prolonged hypoxia. It may not be possible for the officials to keep a tag on the artificial ripening of fruits taking place at various places in the state. One can distinguish the artificially ripened fruit. In the case of bananas, the fruit will be yellow while the stem will be dark green.
The fruits would also have lesser flavour and have shorter shelf-life. Also, if the fruits are available before the season, it could mean they are artificially ripened. Pregnant women particularly need to be very careful and should not consume such fruits and vegetables.
