Artificial ripening of fruits threat to human health

Last year, the government conducted fruit melas (fruit exhibition) in different parts of the State to supply mangoes free from carbonates to the farmers. But these exhibitions did not prove to be of much success Kadapa: Fruits are the gifts of Nature. However, today, even they have become poisonous and unfit for consumption. Fruits should be allowed to ripen naturally. But the unlimited greed of fruit vendors to earn a fast buck is creating problems. They are taking measures to ripen the fruits artificially with the help of chemicals like carbide, violating the Supreme Court's guideline of banning carbide for artificial ripening of fruits. As Kadapa is facing deficit rains this year, fruits were being cultivated in several tracts of lands in Pulivendula, Railway Kodur, Rajampet and Rayachoti. Some of the popular fruits that were being grown are mangoes, papaya, watermelon, musk melon and litchi. Some of these fruits are not seasonal and they continue to be cultivated throughout the year. The traders were cultivating certain hybrid varieties of fruits and use carbide for ripening them quickly so that they could make more profits without taking into consideration the health of the people. People were warning the traders that the use of calcium carbonate for ripening the fruits artificially would be a threat to health. They were carrying business by using the carbonate, which would be detrimental to the health of the people. The politicians, officials and traders were hand in glove in using this chemical for making the fruits ripen fast, though it is an unethical practice. Last year, the government conducted fruit melas (fruit exhibition) in different parts of the State to supply mangoes free from carbonates to the farmers. But these exhibitions did not prove to be of much success as there was no proper surveillance to prevent the use of calcium carbonate on fruits. Thus, the Supreme Court directives and government orders continue to be violated with impunity. Doctors have warned that the use of such artificially ripened fruits pose danger to the digestive system as the people would be severely affected by acidity, ulcers in the stomach, headaches, vomiting, drowsiness, diarreah and also lung infected diseases. Ultimately, it may also lead to cancer. So, the traders were asked to desist from the use of carbonates.