Hyderabad High Court Seeks Report Over Artificial Ripening of Fruits Using Calcium Carbide

The acting Chief Justice Dilip B Bhosale and Justice SV Bhatt of Hyderabad high court asked the FDA of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to submit a plan to curb the menace due to the artificial ripening of fruits using calcium carbide.Within //two weeks they have to file affidavits explaining the steps they will take to ensure availability of chemical-free fruits. Artificial ripening of fruits using chemicals actually causes many side effects in humans. It includes vomiting, diarrhea, burning sensation in the chest, sore throat, shortness of breath and burning sensation in the eyes.

"Whenever I eat fruits, I feel a burning sensation. I was under the impression that it is due to acidity and I have been consuming related medicines. We generally do not connect this burning sensation to fruits. I never knew that even the burning sensation in eyes is related to the fruits we consume," said Bhosale.

The usage of calcium chloride was banned in the two states when the bench had earlier ordered flash raids on fruit markets which resulted in seizure of large quantities of calcium carbide. Fruit samples were also collected from markets for chemical analysis where all tested positive for the chemical.

”Let the senior counsel P Gangaiah Naidu, who was appearing for fruit vendors in Hyderabad wholesale markets, come out with novel ways of resolving the issue after consultations with traders. There is no point in defending them, let them mend their ways and come forward with better ideas to offer safe fruits to people,” said the bench.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments told the court that the raids were continuing and action had been initiated against the violators of the norms. The bench said the pressure was to be continued upon the fruit merchants. The case will be listed after two weeks.

Source-Medindia