States asked to caution the public about artificially ripened fruits
Updated: Mar 07, 2013 09:07:19pm
New Delhi, Mar 5 (KNN) The Centrehas asked the States to educate the public through print and electronic media, against consumption of artificially ripened fruits and vegetables, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury said in the RajyaSabha today.
“Clause 2.3.5 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, prohibits sale of fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas commonly known as carbide gas produced from Calcium Carbide,”hiswritten statement read.
“There is no provision for use of ripening hormones under the Food Safety and Standards Act/ Rules/ Regulations. However, the Ministry of Agriculture has recommended the use of ethylene gas in low concentration exogenously to trigger ripening of fruits,” it added.
The minister said that the state governments had taken measures to ensure that Food and Safety Officers (FSOs) kept watch on fruit markets, inspected fruit, fruit stalls and go-downs, took samples of fruits, vegetables and milk while educating fruits vendors to refrain from using those chemicals.
Thereis no scientific validation to the use of chemicals like calcium carbide, ethylene and ethion for early ripening of fruits;he clarified, contrary to what some reports suggested.
A Joint Committee for Research on Food Safety, was formulated in August, 2010 under Co-Chairmanship of the Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Director General, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) to address the various issues relating to the safety of using ripening and coloring agents, and any other relevant issues in nutrition and food safety which emerge from time to time. The move came following reports of use of artificial coloring/ ripening agents in vegetables/ fruits.
The Committee has recommended further research to study the use and effect of artificial ripening agents and other chemicals in fruits and vegetables.
“Clause 2.3.5 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, prohibits sale of fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas commonly known as carbide gas produced from Calcium Carbide,”hiswritten statement read.
“There is no provision for use of ripening hormones under the Food Safety and Standards Act/ Rules/ Regulations. However, the Ministry of Agriculture has recommended the use of ethylene gas in low concentration exogenously to trigger ripening of fruits,” it added.
The minister said that the state governments had taken measures to ensure that Food and Safety Officers (FSOs) kept watch on fruit markets, inspected fruit, fruit stalls and go-downs, took samples of fruits, vegetables and milk while educating fruits vendors to refrain from using those chemicals.
Thereis no scientific validation to the use of chemicals like calcium carbide, ethylene and ethion for early ripening of fruits;he clarified, contrary to what some reports suggested.
A Joint Committee for Research on Food Safety, was formulated in August, 2010 under Co-Chairmanship of the Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Director General, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) to address the various issues relating to the safety of using ripening and coloring agents, and any other relevant issues in nutrition and food safety which emerge from time to time. The move came following reports of use of artificial coloring/ ripening agents in vegetables/ fruits.
The Committee has recommended further research to study the use and effect of artificial ripening agents and other chemicals in fruits and vegetables.
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