Noting a rise in complaints against fruit vendors and traders for using harmful chemicals to ripen fruits, the city police will be launching a crackdown from Wednesday on outlets and godowns.
The State government has banned the use of Calcium Carbide (CaC2) and had asked municipal bodies and officials from the Commissioner of Food Safety to take the help of traders to effectively prohibit use of Calcium Carbide.
It had also directed the Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) and Commissioner of Food Safety to inspect commercial establishments selling fruits to ensure implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, which bans use of Calcium Carbide.
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Apart from the CaC2, the authorities are also keeping a watch on traders using ethane and ethephon for ripening. According to health experts, inappropriate use of these chemicals results in health problems.
The Hyderabad High Court also asked the government to initiate action against fruit traders and vendors who are using harmful chemicals for ripening fruits.