Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 19: Jammu and Kashmir Drugs and Food Control Department today raided Fruit Mandi at Parimpora here destroyed nearly 1100 Kilograms of artificially ripened mangoes which can be highly carcinogenic and are therefore banned under Food Safety and Standards Act.
The Mango boxes were found with Calcium carbide pouches which has cancerous effects. Dr Qayoom Khan, a doctor at SMHS Hospital, warned that calcium carbide contain traces of arsenic and phosphorous Hydroxide which can cause cancer. “Early Symptoms of Arsenic and Phosphorus poisoning include vomiting, Diarrhoea with blood, burning of eyes, permanent damage,” he said.
However, he said, the gas it releases can upset stomach and infect neurological dysfunctioning including mental confusion and memory loss. Assistant Commissioner Food and Drug Control Department Srinagar said for better consumer acceptance and facilitating better marketing the fruit sellers often use banned chemicals to ripen fruits and they were on a continuous vigil to nab such people.
“On the basis of complaint that mangoes are being ripened by calcium carbide we raided Parimpora Mandi and some of the fruit sellers were found in possession of mango boxes in which the pouches of calcium carbide used as ripening agents were found,” he said. Calcium Carbide releases acetyl gas which is prohibited under Food Safety and Standards act and is highly carcinogenic.
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