The FDA is reported to have destroyed recently two tonnes of the popular variety of 'Velchi' bananas which were chemically ripened by use of the banned chemical ethapone. This is a serious violation of the food laws. Cases are not rare where other fruits like mangoes have also been similarly ripened by banned chemicals. Such methods of ripening fruits were unheard of in the past. Fruit was always ripened in hay which gave us safe and tasty fruit. The police should investigate the source of supply of these banned chemicals to the fruit dealers. Destroying the seized fruit that were contaminated is fine and FDA deserves to be complimented for carrying out the raids and seizing such fruit. Just imposing petty fines is hardly a remedy for the problem. Ripening the fruit chemically is injurious to the health and life of innocent people. It is a very serious offence and the authorities should not only cancel the trade licences of these criminals but also imprison them. lf the present laws lack genuine force or effectiveness they should be changed by the government with strict and exemplary ones that will achieve the intended purpose.
