The Chennai Corporation on Monday seized and destroyed nearly 12 tonnes of mangoes ripened using calcium carbide.
Several teams of its Health Department officials, including 30 sanitary inspectors, conducted raids in 95 shops and godowns in Koyambedu, Meersahibpet market in Royapettah, Mylapore and T.Nagar. Officials of the Corporation said of the 12 tonnes seized, 10 tonnes were from 48 shops in Koyambedu. Around 1,200 kg of calcium carbide used to ripen the fruits were also seized.
Calcium carbide is a hazardous chemical and contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus hydride, the Corporation Health Officer P. Kuganantham said. While inhalation of the chemical can cause unconsciousness, consumption of fruits that are ripened using the chemical may have serious health implications.
Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, eye and skin irritation are common among people who consume such fruits. It may even lead to permanent vision loss, intestinal problem, low blood pressure and memory loss, he said.
Seizure of artificially ripened fruits of such large quantity on a single day during the start of the mango season is not common. The civic body officials have seized as much as 40 tonnes of mangoes and 10 tonnes of calcium carbide in a single day last year but it was during the peak season, an official said.
The mangoes seized on Monday were destroyed in Nungambakkam burial ground. Bleaching powder was added to the fruits before they were buried in a six feet deep pit.
According to Dr.Kuganantham, even bananas and papayas are prematurely ripened using the same method. Pointing out that the naturally ripened mangoes would have shrunken skin, he said the skin of artificially ripened ones would be shiny and some might have a grayish coating. Chennai Corporation plans to initiate severe action against traders who involve in the practice of artificial ripening of fruits.
