The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Tuesday destroyed nine quintals of bananas at the Mapusa market yard that were sprayed with a ripening agent (ethaphone). The department said that an FIR will be filed and strict action will be initiated. The FDA raid is just the tip of the iceberg are there are many black sheep in the yard who still engage in such malpractices under the very nose of authorities.
Tonnes of raw fruits basically mangoes, bananas and papayas arrive at the Agricultural Yard in the every morning and ripen overnight. One wonders whether this 'Miracle' unfolds only in Mapusa or is common in the entire State? By evening, almost everything is sold and what remains is disposed off at half the price by hawkers by moving around in the market and at the bus and taxi stands. The fruit has poor shelf life and begins to blacken and rot the next day as it is allegedly ripened using ethylene sachets and calcium carbide also.
Calcium carbide commonly used for ripening fruits releases actylene gas, which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus. These substances can cause serious health issues and such fruit is both insipid and dangerous to consume.
When the government is promoting organic products, then they are duty bound to check the nonsense going on in the yard. Cancer cases are spiraling in Goa and consuming artificially ripened fruits can only make matters worse.
A once in a 'Blue Moon' raid at the yard will not do and the FDA should keep dedicated workers here to check the nuisance that is going on here regularly. Time the Honourable High Court directs the FDA to conduct regular checks on artificially ripened fruits in the best interest of public health.