Be careful while consuming fresh fruits or lush vegetables next time as they may contain chemical agents used for artificial ripening as the health authorities do not have a proper monitoring system and manpower to inspect thousands of cartons of farm produce being imported in Jammu and Kashmir.
A few days back, a team of the Drug and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) had raided Narwal Mandi, one of the biggest markets in the state and found traces of calcium carbide in the papaya consignment. Though it was destroyed on the spot, sources say this is just the tip of the iceberg as tonnes of produce is imported daily without any check.
It is an alarming situation as officials admit that the use of calcium carbide and copper sulfate for ripening of fruits and giving a fresh look to vegetables is harmful to health and the chemicals carry cancer-causing agents.
The Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, prohibit the sale of fruits which have been artificially ripened by the use of calcium carbide.
Even the controller, DFCO, Lotika Khajuria admitted that it was difficult to detect the traces of chemicals as hundreds of vendors were selling farm produce to people.
“The government has put a ban on the use of calcium carbide as a ripening agent but the use of ethylene gas in low concentration is allowed for ripening of fruits. So far, several raids have been conducted to expose the racket but there is a need for continuous monitoring,” said Khajuria.
Lack of coordination between civic bodies, especially the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and the DFCO is also encouraging the illegal trade as the powers of checking food commodities have now been been fully transferred to the DFCO.
“We are not entitled to monitor traders selling eatables, fruits and vegetables. Only the DFCO has jurisdiction on these matters now,” said Dr Anita Salgotra, municipal health officer.
The state government has already ordered food safety officers/designated officers to keep a watch on fruit markets, inspection of markets, fruit stalls and godowns but it is proving to be a difficult job for them.
No check on sale of non-permissible ripening agents
