FSSAI Alerts Fruit Traders on Calcium Carbide Ban Compliance

Context

India’s apex food safety authority, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has alerted state food safety departments to “remain vigilant and take serious action” against fruit traders found using calcium carbide for artificial ripening of mangoes or other fruits, prohibited more than a decade ago .

Calcium Carbide and Its Effects

Calcium carbide which is used to tropical fruits such as mangoes produces acetylene gas which contains particulants of arsenic and phosphors. These substances are also called ‘Masala’ which have very severe health implications including dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness of limbs, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting and skin ulcers, etc. Acetylene gas is also equally dangerous for those handling the gas. There are possibilities that calcium carbide may be in direct contact with fruits while spraying and the arsenic and phosphorus may be left as residue on fruits .

Ban on Calcium Carbide

Because of the above dangers, the use of calcium carbide for fruit ripening has been prohibited under Regulation 2. 3. 5 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sale and Distribution) Regulations, 2011. This regulation clearly mentions the following : ‘‘No person shall sell or offer or expose for sale or have in his premises for the purposes of sale under any description, fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas commonly known as carbide gas ’’.

Ethylene Gas: A Safer Alternative

Still on the matters of fruit safety, FSSAI has given a nod for the use of slightly safer ethylene gas for fruit ripening in India despite the overused banned calcium carbide. The ethylene gas can be used at any concentration from 100 ppm (100 μl/L) under the influence of a number of plants, varieties, and ripeness. Ethylene is a common hormone present in fruits that is responsible for triggering and managing chemical and biochemical processes that happen during ripening. Ethylene gas causes ripening of the fruit and this continues until the fruit generates and releases ethylene gas in large quantities .

FSSAI Alert

FSSAI has alerted traders, fruits handlers and Food Business Operators (FBOs) who are 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/UTs to remain vigilant and take serious action and deal stringently against person(s) indulging in such unlawful practices as per the provisions of FSS Act, 2006 and Rules/Regulations made thereunder.

Compliance and Enforcement

FSSAI has released an important guidance document which suggests the Food Business Operators to follow the procedure for artificial ripening of fruits. The following document contains the Standard Operating Procedure for including all the steps for fruits ripening using ethylene gas. Prohibition/Control on ripening agents like Ethylene gas, Calcium Carbide or any other for artificial ripening of fruits, conditions, requirements, Sources of Ethylene gas, Guidelines, Protocol, Safety measures etc. If any case of use of Calcium Carbide or any wrong practice of using ripening agents for artificial ripening of fruits comes to the knowledge of consumers then such cases may be informed to the concerned State Commissioner of Food Safety for taking action.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits has been banned due to its harmful effects on human health. FSSAI has permitted the use of ethylene gas as a safer alternative and has alerted fruit traders and handlers to ensure compliance with the prohibition on calcium carbide. 

Source: Hindustan Times

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Discuss the role of regulatory bodies like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in ensuring food safety and public health. In this context, evaluate the effectiveness of the prohibition of calcium carbide in fruit ripening. What are the challenges faced by regulatory bodies in enforcing such bans, and suggest measures to overcome them.

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