In Chennai, artificially ripened bananas are present in many stores
Posted on: 29/Nov/2019 10:00:58 AM
Ethylene solution sprays are now used to speed up artificial ripening of the bananas.
The news that has emerged out is many neighbourhood fruit shops and markets across Chennai city have these artificially ripened bananas now.
It is important to note that 2 weeks back the food safety officials seized and destroyed more than 10 tonnes of bananas from 6 shops at Koyambedu wholesale market. The point is raids are being carried out in and outside the market complex now.
It was explained by Mr Ramakrishnan, Chennai designated food safety officer, that vendors dilute ethylene with water and spray it over bananas and later keep bananas in airtight rooms. By this, the ripening of bananas becomes faster.
As per the food safety norms, ethylene gas could be used to ripen some fruits but applying /spraying ethylene solution directly could result in serious health hazard and is prohibited. In the last 2 weeks of time, several tonnes of bananas and ethylene solutions were seized.
Mr Ramakrishnan later expressed his thoughts about the penetration of chemicals into the fruit and said some samples of chemical solution sprayed bananas were sent to the food safety lab to know how much chemical has gone into the fruit.
Important piece of information is ethylene (a hormone produced naturally) is allowed for artificial ripening provided the concentration does not exceed 100 ppm. When present in gaseous form under controlled concentration, ethylene does not create harm for the consumers.
For the purpose of creating awareness about the food safety rules, the food safety officials have called for a meeting. According to a popular gastroenterologist, Dr R. Surendran, use of chemical that is not permitted could cause serious health hazards to the consumers. He added that stomach upset, skin rashes might occur but long term use might even result in cancer plus other kidney based ailments etc.
It was revealed by M. S. Srinivasan, Chennai Fruits Commission Agents Association that daily 40 vehicles each carrying around 8 tonnes of raw banana come to the market. He threw light on how some use ethylene gas whereas others use chemical sprays for ripening.
