Hyderabad: The food safety department on Wednesday cautioned consumers against purchasing bananas and mangoes that are artificially ripened using calcium carbide.
Officials said fruits that are artificially ripened are overtly soft and flavourless, with spotless yellow skin and green stem. These fruits will not have the aroma associated with them if they are ripened using calcium carbide.
The government is carrying out an awareness drive against calcium carbide following a high court order. Principal secretary to health, Rajeshwar Tiwari, said action would be taken against those selling artificially ripened fruits.
Pamphlets have been put up in super markets, Kirana stores and fruit markets across the city, that would help people identify such fruits.
However, fruit vendors and local bazaars had completely ignored the orders to display the pamphlets in their shops. A senior food inspector said vendors were reluctant as customers would refuse to purchase the artificially ripened fruits.
