Dindigul mango traders promise to avoid banned methods for ripening fruit

DINDIGUL: Mango traders from Dindigul district have assured the food safety department officials that they would not indulge in ripening of mangoes through banned methods like calcium carbide stone and ethephon after sensitization programmes were carried out.


The traders and farmers were demonstrated with the methods permitted in artificial ripening.

They were also informed about the health problems faced by people consuming the fruits ripened using the banned methods. The programme was held at Gopalpatti and Natham, known for mango cultivation, on Wednesday. Officials said one more will be held at Ayakudi near Palani .

Designated officer for food safety Dr K Natarajan said that during recent raids they seized 1.5 tonne of mangoes ripened using banned methods, but no stringent action was taken against them to give them an opportunity to correct themselves. They were left with severe warning and notices. There are provisions to take legal actions, which can land them in prison apart from paying fine. They will take stringent measures against reluctant traders, once the sensitization programmes are over, Natarajan said.

Around 60 traders took part in the programmes. Apart from demonstration, hands on training was also provided to them. They were taught ripening of fruits using ethylene gas, which is permitted. The traders, who keenly observed the officials talking on the ill-effects of using calcium carbine and ethephon, assured to refrain from using them, officials said.