Chemically ripened mangoes and other fruits can even kill you: Dr Pranav Kabra

MUMBAI: It’s that time of the year when mangoes flood the markets and we all love eating the golden-yellow delicious fruit. Unfortunately, in today’s fast-paced world, most fruits sold in retail markets are artificially or chemically ripened and the King of Fruits is no expection.

According to Dr Pranav Kabra of the Raksha Multispeciality Hospital located at Malad in the western suburbs of Mumbai, artificially or chemically ripened mangoes (and other fruits) are very harmful to the human body, as various illegal and dangerous chemicals are used to ripen mangoes and also increase their shelf life.

This is what Dr Pranav Kabra has to say about artificially ripened fruit/mangoes and why one must be careful while buying them or rather avoid artificially ripened fruit alltogether.

Artificial ripening is not only illegal, but dangerous and can sometimes be lethal.

According to Dr Kabra, the FSSAI has prohibited and banned chemical ripening of mangoes. It has also warned that the use of calcium carbide for ripening mangoes can lead to the formation of dangerous chemical compounds such as arsenic and phosphorus. These chemicals can accumulate in the body and cause long-term health problems including poisoning, eventually leading to death.

How do you know if mangoes are artificially ripened?

An artificially ripened mango will have a mixture of light and dark yellow colour on it. This indicates that the mango is not completely ripened. The artificially ripened mangoes will seem ripened or yellow on the outside but not on the inside. They might look attractive to the eye but will be very hazardous for your health, he says.

Which banned chemical is used for artificial ripening of mangoes?

The most commonly used chemical for artificial ripening is Calcium Carbide (CaC2) and is popularly known as ‘Masala”, though it is banned under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations of 2011. Once dissolved in water, carbide produces acetylene gas. Acetylene gas may affect the human neurological system by inducing prolonged Hypoxia. Other negative effects include headache, dizziness, mood disturbances, sleepiness, mental confusion, memory loss, cerebral edema, seizures and even death.

Can we remove this carbide from mangoes?

Dipping mangoes in 2% sodium carbonate solution for 12 hours can remove arsenic residues from the calcium carbide ripened mangoes prior to their consumption. But this can ruin the natural taste and texture of the fruit and most people will not relish it or want to consume it.

Calcium Carbide can irritate the skin causing a rash, redness and a burning feeling on contact. It can cause other skin problems on sensitive skin.

Permanent damage (corneal opacities). Exposure may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency that requires hospitalisation. It also causes symptoms like headache, dizziness, high sleepiness, memory loss, cerebral oedema, numbness in the legs and hands, general weakness, cold and damp skin, low blood pressure and seizure. Pregnant women particularly need to be very careful and should not consume such contaminated fruits and vegetables. Calcium is a carcinogenic substance that is very dangerous for humans and may cause cancer, opines Dr Kabra, adding that one should refrain from eating mangoes ripened with carbide. These mangoes, as per doctors, have been strictly banned by doctors and the medical fraternity due to harmful medical effects on the human body.

How do I know if my mango is carbide free?

Put the mangoes in a bucket of water. If the mangoes sink, they are naturally ripened. If they float, they are harvested and ripened artificially says Dr Pranav Kabra.