‘Chinese’ powders used for ripening of mangoes seized

Traders keen on making a fast buck have started using Chinese powder containing ethylene for ripening of mangoes. Joint teams of Vigilance and Enforcement wing and Food Safety, who raided four godowns in Old Guntur, have found at least 25 packets Xianfeng Ethylene ripener used for fresh fruit ripening placed in cardboard boxes.

“This is the first time we have unearthed this powder in Guntur. We are questioning the traders as to where from they have got the powder. We have sent the powder sachets to Food Lab. The fruit ripener is used to give the typical lemon yellow colour to the fruit. Ethylene is usually used in gas chambers to ripen banana, but this is for the first time, it is being used to ripen mangoes,’’ said Regional Vigilance and Enforcement Officer Sobha Manjari.

Side effects

Food Inspector Srinivasa Rao said that side effects of using the powder could range from showing symptoms of gastroenteritis to gastric disorders. Though the mango looks ripe, the inside of the fruit is withered owing to use of chemicals.

The vigilance sleuths have found many traders using the sachets during the raids conducted in fruit markets in Guntur and Tenali.

Heavy gales

The latest raids have come in the wake of reports of traders using carbide to ripen mangoes.

The recent rains accompanied by heavy gales have led massive fruit droppings in several parts of Krishna district, and such fruits are being sold to customers after being ripened artificially, officials said.