1,750 kg of Mangoes Ripened Using Carcinogen Seized from Residential Area

Chennai:

Chennai Corporation officials on Saturday raided a make-shift godown
in a residential area in Aiyappa Nagar behind Koyambedu market and
seized 1750 kgs of artificially ripened mangoes and 250 kg of calcium
carbide stone.



The raid was conducted around 11 am by Zonal health officer Dr
Rajkumar sanitary officer Gopalakrishnan ad sanitary inspector
Shankar.



“The traders are now using residential area to store the mangoes for
artificial ripening since the market area is small,” said Shankar.



Interestingly, this is third such raid and all of them in the
residential areas. “This is to ensure that the ripening of fruits
could be done on sly,” said Shankar.



Interestingly there has been numerous complaints from residents about
artificially ripened mangoes being sold in Koyambedu market and other
places.



Interestingly calcium carbide is carcinogenic and contains traces of
arsenic and phosphorous hydrides that turn the fruits highly toxic.
The Calcium carbide stones are kept in and around the pile of fruits.
The stones absorb moisture  and produce acetylene gas that helps in
the ripening process.



The consumption of such mangoes are harmful for health. It could
result in stomach upset as it erodes mucosal tissues and disrupts
intestial functions.



A resident nearby says that it is high time the government bans such
mangoes and arrests those who sell such toxic fruits to common people.