Vigilance and Enforcement sleuths and Food Safety officials seized over four tonnes of artificially ripened papayas in a raid on godown at Seethampeta in the city on Tuesday.
The team led by DSP CM Naidu launched a drive following repeated complaints from the public that many traders in the city were using chemicals to ripen papayas and bananas.
Mr Naidu said one K Srinivasa Rao owns the godown , which has a capacity to store over six tonnes of raw papayas. For the last few years he has been allegedly supplying the artificially ripened papayas to fruit outlets in the city.
During the raid it was found that ethephone, an insecticide, was being used to ripen the papaya, said food inspector S Janardhana Rao.
Eating fruits, which are artificially ripened fruits will put the consumer at risk of developing mouth ulcers, gastric problems and skin rashes, he added.
“We have seized the godown and registered cases against Rao under Food Safety & Standards Act- 2006 and have collected the samples and will send the samples to laboratory in Hyderabad and will file charge sheet against Rao based on the lab report,” from the laboratory, said the DSP.
Meanwhile, the Vigilance and Enforcement Department team raided an anganwadi centre in 13th ward of the city.
During the raid the team found worms and insects in edible oil and green gram. Besides eggs were also substandard.
