This is mango season. Beware of mangoes which are artificially ripened that pose a threat to your health.
The health officials of Chennai corporation are monitoring the Koyambedu whole sale market and fruit shops in the city looking out for mangoes that are artificially ripened using carbide stones.
According to a senior corporation official, currently the focus is on seasonal fruits particularly the mango.They are periodically monitoring the Koyambedu market and surprise inspections. Fruit vendors purchase the Calcium Carbide,that is used in welding industries. In several markets mangoes are ripened at room temperature in open, in wooden boxes lined with paper treated with Carbide. The powdered form of carbide is used for the purpose. Currently there is no major action against the fruit vendors and the corporation officials are issuing warning notices.
On the other hand, pamphlets explaining the effects of consuming artificially ripened mangoes are also distributed to the public. Health inspectors in the last few days have seized 1200 kilos of mangoes and 450 kilos of carbide stones from Koyambedu market.
The drive would continue till the end of the mango season. Normally mangoes take about three months to mature and ripen.
Currently the Chennai corporation is focussing on creating awareness and identifying artificially ripened mangoes. They propose to take action against offenders in due course of time.
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