Health effects of artificially ripened fruits

Health effects of artificially ripened fruits


Summer is that time of the year when the shelves of fruit shops and larder s of most residents are filled with the ‘king of fruits’.

Demand

The sale of mangoes shoots through the roof in the summer season. The demand during peak season is estimated to exceed many tonnes for every three days in the all over Tamilnadu.

This is far higher than what the market can supply. As a result, carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents are being used to ripen the fruits quickly for higher volume of sales.

The chemicals used for artificial ripening of fruits can cause cancer.

In the past four to five years, the practice of artificial ripening has become prevalent Tamilnadu .

How to Identify the Right Fruits to Consume

The external color and the texture are usually taken under consideration when it comes to choose right fruits. The naturally ripened fruits are often uneven in color. It is advisable to choose fruits during the season when it turns ripe naturally, since a ripe fruit during off season may artificially ripen unless it is genetically ripen . For instance. However, ripening also induce the taste of the fruits and also contributes to their weight loss.

 

Artificially ripened mangoes can be spotted through a careful examination of the fruit. They will lack the aroma and will be less juicy compared to the naturally ripened ones.

Fruits that are artificially ripened will be having uniform colour throughout the skin, which will not be the case in naturally ripened fruits. If a person holds it in his hand, they can feel the difference between artificially and naturally ripened mangoes.

These fruits will also be difficult to cut and the inside will be white in colour rather than yellow.

Chemicals used

Certain chemicals are used to fasten the ripening of fruits which include Calcium carbide
and Ethephone. Some fruits vendor may use burning kerosene stove or incense sticks to hasten the ripening of fruits

Health effects

Calcium carbide was an industrial grade product, it contained arsenic and lead participles.

Ethephone, an insecticide, is another chemical used for this purpose.

Neurological dysfunctions


These toxic impurities affect the neurological system and reduce the oxygen supply to the brain. Consuming artificially ripened mangoes could result in sleeping disorders and headaches, memory loss, seizures, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, renal problems and possibly, even cancer. Children and pregnant women in particular should avoid artificially ripened fruits.



Ethylene is the major ripening agent produced naturally within the fruits to instigate ripening process. However, chemicals agents like ethephon and calcium carbide are frequently used in developing countries to activate fruit ripening process due to cheaper price. Working with such chemical agents without using appropriate protective gears can be hazardous for the workers. On the other hand, the consumers suffer from the indirect consumption of ripening agents and their contaminants. The nutrition values like the protein content, vitamin-C and beta-carotene decrease in artificially ripened Pineapples and Bananas . The critical finding was the presence of Arsenic and Lead within artificially ripened Pineapples and Bananas. The concentration of Arsenic and lead were within the daily permissible intake limit for an adult, however, regular consumption of such fruits can cause serious health hazards to human beings like cancer, skin irritation, diarrhea, liver disease, kidney disease, gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac disturbances, central nervous system depression and cardiac abnormalities etc. Ideally artificial ripening agents release ethylene or acetylene to instigate fruit ripening and should not contain metal or metalloid. But practically industrial grade calcium carbide and ethephon may contain a high percentage of Arsenic lead and Phosphorus compounds which are toxic for human health and can contaminate artificially ripened fruits. Usage of high grade ripening agents requires low dosing rate and any metal/metalloid contamination must be avoided.

Act and law in India

Tamilnadu Govt. Appointed offices to look for it . In every district collectors are also making surprise to find out this.

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Rules 2011) totally bans the practice of ripening of fruits in India.