Local varieties of bananas are chemically ripened

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-08-29
PANAJI- With the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi just around the corner, some unscrupulous wholesale dealers of fruits have started artificially ripening bunches of bananas by using chemicals, which may harm the consumers of the fruit.
The banana bunches, especially those of the ‘Maidoli’ variety, are in great demand during the festival period, with their uses ranging from preparation of dishes like halawa to their display on ceiling in front of the Ganesh idol, namely ‘Matoli’.
The food and drugs administration director, Mr Pramod Jain told ‘The Navhind Times’ on Thursday evening that the trend of artificial ripening of fruits is observed in Goa, and the FDA inspectors would swing into action to prevent such malpractice, which gains momentum during the Ganesh festival.
Fruits are artificially ripened by using acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas, he said pointing out that there is a legal provision prohibiting such an act.
“Unfortunately, the content of this chemical cannot be traced in fruits once they are brought to the laboratory, and we have to entirely depend on the circumstantial evidence,” Mr Jain informed adding that he has already discussed this aspect with the appellate laboratory.
The agriculture director, Mr Satish Tendulkar acknowledged the acts of artificial ripening of fruits in Goa and said that it has nothing to do with the scarcity of fruits.
In fact, there is no substantial decrease in the cultivation of the banana crop, particularly of ‘Maidoli’ variety, this season, he informed.
Mr Tendulkar further said that villages like Ibrampur, Chandel and Warkhand in Pernem taluka, and other villages like Moydem, Sal, Menkurem and Pirla in North Goa, undertake cultivation of ‘Moidoli’ bananas along with other varieties of this fruit. “In spite of the news reports about the untamed elephants causing damage to banana plantations in North Goa, I have not observed drastic scarcity in this crop, this season,” he maintained.
The artificial ripening of banana bunches is gathering speed at the Mapusa subyard, which is the largest banana market in North Goa and supplies banana lots costing between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh to almost all parts of the state, everyday. The chemical treatment is carried out in small erected shelters within and near the subyard.
The process of artificial ripening involves calcium carbide containing traces of arsenic and phosphorus dissolved in water, and further producing acetylene gas that affects the neurological system of the consumer of bananas, resulting in headache, dizziness, mood disturbances, sleepiness, mental confusion and even seizures on a short-term basis. The continuous consumption of such chemically treated fruits can cause memory loss and cerebral edema.
The actual process of natural ripening of fruits requires around five to six days, while with the use of carbide gas the fruits can be ripened within 24 to 36 hours.
The records point out that five years ago, two dealers involved in such acts were booked by the FDA.
Mr Mohammad Khan, a banana whole-seller at the Panaji municipal market, said the use of chemicals to ripen the bananas is not a new practice. It is being done throughout the nation.
The wholesalers and dealers in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala and other states take into account the element of time while loading bananas onto the trucks. Sometimes transportation of fruits takes two-three days to reach destinations, while sometimes it takes more time.
“Previously we used to go for smoke therapy to ripen the bananas. But now ethereal is commonly used, and without this no ripe bananas will be available in the market,” he observed.