New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has alerted traders, fruit handlers, and Food Business Operators (FBOs) operating ripening chambers to strictly ensure compliance with the prohibition on calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits, particularly during the mango season. FSSAI is also advising Food Safety Departments of States and UTs to remain vigilant and take serious action against individuals indulging in such unlawful practices as per the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006, and Rules/Regulations made thereunder.
Calcium carbide, commonly used for ripening fruits like mangoes, releases acetylene gas which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus. These substances, also known as ‘Masala’, can cause serious health issues such as dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, and skin ulcers. Additionally, acetylene gas is equally hazardous to those handling it. There is a chance that calcium carbide may come in direct contact with fruits during application and leave residues of arsenic and phosphorus on fruits.
Due to these dangers, the use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits has been banned under Regulation 2.3.5 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. This regulation explicitly states, "No person shall sell or offer or expose for sale or have in his premises for the purpose of sale under any description, fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas."
Considering the issue of rampant use of banned calcium carbide, FSSAI has permitted the use of ethylene gas as a safer alternative for fruit ripening in India. Ethylene gas can be used at concentrations up to 100 ppm (100 μl/L), depending upon the crop, variety, and maturity. Ethylene, a naturally occurring hormone in fruits, regulates the ripening process by initiating and controlling a series of chemical and biochemical activities. The treatment of unripe fruits with ethylene gas triggers the natural ripening process until the fruit itself starts producing ethylene in substantial quantities.
Further, the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC) has approved Ethephon 39% SL for the uniform ripening of mangoes and other fruits.
FSSAI has published a comprehensive guidance document titled "Artificial Ripening of Fruits - Ethylene gas a safe fruit ripener" (https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Guidance_Note_Ver2_Artificial_Ripening_Fruits_03_01_2019_Revised_10_02_2020.pdf) suggesting the Food Business Operators follow the procedure for artificial ripening of fruits. This document outlines a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) incorporating all aspects of artificial ripening of fruits by ethylene gas, including restrictions, requirements for ethylene ripening systems/chambers, handling conditions, sources of ethylene gas, protocols for application of ethylene gas from various sources, post-treatment operations, and safety guidelines.
In case any use of calcium carbide or any improper use of ripening agents for artificial ripening of fruits is noticed by consumers, it should be reported to the concerned State Commissioners of Food Safety for action against such violators. The details of the Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/UTs are available at the following link: https://www.fssai.gov.in/cms/commissioners-of-food-safety.php. /BI
