KOCHI: The sale of artificially ripened mangoes continues to go unabated in the city despite strict norms by the food safety authorities and regular inspections.
A sizeable number of city residents consume poison-laced fruits as wholesale traders and middle men flout food safety norms.
The use of chemicals to ripen fruits is a punishable offence under Food Safety and Standards Act.
On Saturday, the police and food safety officials seized nearly 500 kilograms of fruit ripened using calcium carbide from a godown at Mattancherry. Officials also confiscated 7.5 kilograms of the chemical.
“As per orders we have been conducting regular inspection on wholesale fruit sellers,” said sources at the food safety department. However, people are apprehensive over the efficacy of this drive.
“The use of calcium carbide is rampant as transporting ripe mangoes from neighbouring states is not feasible,” said Ramesan, a trader.
A major chunk of mangoes is brought from AP, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. For a longer shelf life, traders buy unripe fruit and later it is ripened using chemicals before shifting the fruits to shops.
