Gujarat HC for strict action against use of carbide/chemicals to artificially ripen fruits

Ahmedabad: Taking suo motto cognizance of the instances of alleged large-scale ripening of mangoes and other fruits artificially with chemicals like carbide and ethylene, Gujarat High Court today instructed the state government, various municipal corporations and other concerned authorities to take appropriate steps to check this health-wise hazardous practice.

Division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and justice V M Pancholi instructed that necessary steps should be taken to prevent the practice of artificial ripening of fruits with chemicals like carbide and ethylene.
The court also instructed the municipal corporations to take undertakings from those associated with fruit business in their areas about non-use of such chemicals. It also said that strict action including sealing of the shops should be taken in case any of them refuses to give an undertaking or violates it.

Meanwhile Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration of Gujarat, H G Koshia, later told newsmen that a state-wide campaign to check the use of chemicals for artificial ripening of fruits was on for the past over one week.

He claimed that in last few days over 10000 kg of artificially ripened fruits have been destroyed in Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot while 3000 kg have been destroyed in Ahmedabad alone.

DeshGujarat