Chennai: FSSAI allows use of ethylene to ripen fruits

Chennai: For the first time the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India have permitted the use of ethylene for ripening of fruits by the vendors in the State. The officials have raised awareness among the vendors in Koyambedu Flower, Fruit and Vegetable wholesale market regarding the use of ethylene in ripening of fruits.

Speaking to the vendors the FSSAI officials have stated that carbide ripened fruits on consumption cause several harmful effects to health of people. Instead, they have urged the vendors to use the ethephon as source of ethylene gas for artificial ripening of fruits. They have clarified that ethephon in powder form may be used a source of ethylene gas provided that it shall be packed in sachets and these sachets containing ethepon in powder form shall not come in direct contact with fruits. A detailed guideline on artificial ripening of fruits is available in FSSAI website.

The FSSAI has permitted the use of ethylene for ripening the fruits since a large number of fruits damage during transit from the farmers and damage during storage.

Following information from FSSAI the officer bearers of Market Management Committee have permitted the fruit vendors to use the ethylene.

S. Srinivasan, President, Chennai Fruits Commission Agent Association said several lakh tonnes of fruits arrive from various parts of the State and neighbouring States regularly.

The authorities have not maintained a cold storage building, which is located near the market. He sought the authorities to construct a new cold storage building with state of art-technology and function round the clock for the benefit of vendors and the people.

He also demanded the government to improve the infrastructure and amenities in the market

The Collector of Chennai District A. Shanmugasundaram has issued press release on the ripening of fruits with use of ethylene powder for emanating ethylene gas.