JAMMU: The Drug and Food Control Organisation(D&FCO) has advised the Food Business Operators (FBOs) dealing with storage, packaging, distribution and sale of Fruits & Vegetables to strictly adhere to the prescribed guidelines during and post artificial ripening treatment to ensure safe and compliant ripening practices, failing which penal action as warranted under FSS Act2006 shall be initiated.
The Organization has specially issued advisory for repining of Climacteric Fruits- Fruits which are harvested at full maturity and can be further ripened during transit or storage like Banana, Guava, Avocado, Mango, Apple, Pear, Apricot, Peach and Tomato etc
Artificial ripening is the process by which ripening is controlled to achieve desired characteristics intended for better consumer acceptance. Fruit trade involves transporting fruits to distant places.
It said that considering the issue of use of banned calcium carbide and non-availability of alternative ripening agent, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) permitted the use of ethylene gas for ripening of fruits in India vide notification dated 23.08.2016, subject to adherence to the SoPs by the Food Business Operators (FBOs).
A detailed SoP for use of Ethylene gas for artificial ripening has been notified by FSSAI and available at the official website https://fssai.gov.in/cms/guidance-notes.php.
Artificial Ripening with Calcium Carbide, popularly known as ‘Masala’ has been strictly banned in terms of sub-regulation 2.3.5 of Food Safety & Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulation, 2011, due to its potential health hazards.
Recommending the use of Ethylene Gas, D&FCO said that Ethylene is a hormone produced naturally within the fruits to stimulate ripening process. Ethylene, being a natural hormone, does not pose any health hazard to consumers.
Ethylene gas, ethanol, ethephon, etc. can be used on fruits to trigger the ripening process in fruits, under controlled conditions of Humidity, Temperature and Exposure Time.
However, any source of ethylene gas coming in direct contact with fruits is not permitted.
Further, only the approved source of Ethylene Gas is allowed to be procured and used, besides ensuring authenticity/purity of the sachets containing ethephon in powdered form and other components.
“Only those sachets must be used that are properly labelled mentioning details of manufacturer, composition, instructions for use etc. Use of Ethylene Gas for artificial ripening can be done upto the concentration of 100 ppm (100 µl/L) only” the organization advised further.
Fruit should not occupy more than 75% of the volume of the chamber (as well as crate) during the treatment.
Gas leakage monitoring system should be installed in the commercial ripening chambers.
Stacking of boxes should be done keeping minimum 4-6 inches space from the walls and between the adjacent crates.
For detailed guidance note all the stakeholders have been advised to visit https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Guidance_Note_Ver2_Artificial_Ripening_Fruits_03_01_2019_Revised_10_02_2020.pdf
Consumers also are advised to remain vigilant in the market and purchase fruits from known sellers/reputed stores/dealers who declare that fruits sold have not been ripened using harmful/banned chemicals and to wash fruits thoroughly with potable water before its use/consumption to ensure its safety and quality.
