The Health Department of the Chennai Corporation on Wednesday conducted raids in various parts of the city and seized 11.5 tonnes of mangoes ripened using calcium carbide. Around 500 kg of papayas were also seized.
According to Corporation officials, the clinically proven carcinogenic chemical is being used across various wholesale and retail outlets to ripen mangoes. The Koyambedu Wholesale Fruit Market, which is the point of arrival of mangoes in the city, has unbridled usage of the chemical despite warning by the civic authorities against its use. The officials said they found labourers packing carbide into small sachets on Wednesday so that they could be hidden within the mangoes. A total of 34 of 67 shops screened in the market were found to be using the chemical. Over 650 kg of calcium carbide was seized.
Godowns in Royapettah were also raided. Over 600 kg of fruits were seized. The fruits were destroyed.
Use of carbide to ripen mangoes is an offence under the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, and that those using it would be booked under the act, said a senior official of the Chennai Corporation.
The Corporation has informed purchasers and commission agents about the same. Calcium carbide is a hazardous chemical and contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus hydride. While inhalation of the chemical could cause unconsciousness, consumption of fruits ripened using the chemical might have serious health implications.
Symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, eye and skin irritation are common among people who consume such fruits. It might even lead to permanent vision loss, intestinal problem, low blood pressure and memory loss, said a senior official of the Chennai Corporation.
