Fruit traders says they had sought details about the legality of using ethylene for ripening, but neither the state government nor municipal corporations have replied yet
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Thursday categorically stated that it would continue to seize stocks of mangoes that are artificially ripened illegally. The civic body has also asked the state government to clear its stand on whether ripening of mangoes using ethylene pouches is allowed or not. Fruit traders said they had sought details about the legality of using ethylene for ripening, but neither the state government nor municipal corporations have replied yet. They have filed a petition with Gujarat High Court.
With summer setting in, markets in the city have started receiving mangoes. Municipal authorities have also become more vigilant about the fruits checking whether proper rules were followed in the ripening process by conducting raids in wholesale fruit markets. Deepika Chauhan, commissioner of foods in the state government, had earlier told dna that use of ethylene pouches to ripen mangoes was not allowed, and the fruits should be ripened only in ethylene chambers.
The AMC has, however, asked the state government to spell out its stand on the use of ethylene to ripen mangoes. "We have sought a clarification from the state government whether ethylene is allowed or not. Till then, we will continue to seize defective stocks," said Bhavin Solanki, medical officer in charge of health, AMC.
Wholesale fruit vendors told dna that ethylene was used because it was legally imported from China. Speaking about the petition they filed in the High Court eight months ago, Laxmandas Rohra, president of Naroda Wholesale Fruit Market in Ahmedabad, said: "We have not received any reply from any of the authorities. We promise to stop the use of ethylene if the government claims that it is illegal and harms the consumer. If it is illegal to use, why is it legal to import? The government earns tax out of it."
IN BAD TASTE
- Kaltar, a pesticide is used to accelerate the growth of mango, but does not ripen it
- Mangoes can be legally ripened in ethylene gas chambers, ethylene pouches are also used
- Small quantity of ethylene does not cause any significant harm, say traders
- Ethylene has replaced calcium carbide, now banned, to ripen mangoes
- Ethylene is legally imported from China; it is also available in markets
- Traders have filed a petition in Gujarat HC seeking government response
- Traders say neither the state govt nor municipal bodies have replied yet
- Traders ask if ethylene cannot be used, why is it imported.
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