CHANDIGARH: Food safety officials have for the first time found of instead of carbide for artificially ripening fruits in the city. These white pouches were found in the vegetable market in Sector 26 that are being used to . The sample has been sent to (FSSAI), New Delhi. “We have raided fruit and vegetable shops and stopped use of . However, what was recently seen were white powder pouches of ethylene. The FSSAI permits 100 parts per million for artificial ripening. But this pouch which has 'made in China' label does not show the contents or its quantity,“ said Sukhwinder Singh, designated officer, department of food safety and standards, UT health department.
Indian food safety officials have found pouches of Chinese-made ethylene oxide in mango stocks at a market in China. The chemical, which is used to ripen fruit, has never been found in the country before. Exposure to ethylene oxide can lead to respiratory and lung injury and has been associated with diseases including cancer. Demand for ethylene oxide in Chandigarh has surged over the past 10 years, and production and demand will continue to grow throughout the coming decade, according to Absolute Reports.