The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a strong directive to all States and Union Territories, urging them to significantly intensify inspections and conduct special enforcement drives to combat the illegal use of non-permitted fruit ripening agents, as well as the application of synthetic colors and non-permitted wax coatings on fruits. This press release was issued on May 20, 2025.
The Commissioners of Food Safety across all States/UTs and the Regional Directors of FSSAI have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance over fruit markets and wholesale mandis. The primary focus is to curb the unlawful practice of artificial ripening using hazardous agents like calcium carbide, commonly known as ‘masala’.
As part of this intensified enforcement drive, authorities will be conducting thorough inspections of go-downs and storage facilities, particularly those suspected of employing substances such as calcium carbide for ripening fruits. The FSSAI has clearly stated that the mere presence of calcium carbide on the premises or stored alongside crates of fruits will be considered strong circumstantial evidence against the Food Business Operator (FBO), potentially leading to prosecution under the stringent provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006.
The FSSAI has unequivocally reiterated the strict prohibition on the use of calcium carbide for the artificial ripening of fruits under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The Authority emphasized the severe health risks associated with this illegal substance, which is known to cause mouth ulcers, gastric irritation, and possesses carcinogenic properties.
Furthermore, the FSSAI has noted instances where FBOs are improperly using ethephon solution by directly dipping bananas and other fruits into the chemical to accelerate ripening. In response, the FSSAI has issued a comprehensive guidance document titled “Artificial Ripening of Fruits – Ethylene Gas: A Safe Fruit Ripener“. This document clearly stipulates that ethephon can only be used as a source for generating ethylene gas and strictly in adherence to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The SOP outlines all critical aspects of safe artificial ripening using ethylene gas, including crucial restrictions, mandatory chamber requirements, safe handling conditions, permissible sources of ethylene gas, proper application protocols, necessary post-treatment operations, and essential safety guidelines. The FSSAI strongly urges all Food Business Operators to meticulously adhere to these SOPs to ensure safe and legally compliant ripening practices that safeguard consumer health.
The FSSAI has firmly stated that any deviation or violation of these established norms will attract stringent penal action as per the FSS Act, 2006. The Authority is calling upon all stakeholders across the food supply chain, including FBOs and consumers, to remain vigilant and actively ensure that only safe and legally compliant fruits reach the market, thereby upholding food safety and quality for all.
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