FSSAI Warns Against Using Calcium Carbide; How To Identify Artificially Ripened Mangoes

The summer season and mangoes go hand-in-hand. The king of fruits is eagerly anticipated annually and almost everyone likes to have it. Many famous mango varieties in the market are cherished by people and are consumed in many ways, like fruits, shakes, aam panna, pickles, etc., but it is still necessary to consume them in a way that promotes good health.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently issued a warning regarding the use of calcium carbide for ripening mangoes. According to FSSAI, the use of calcium carbide for ripening mangoes has been banned since 2011, but many traders are cooking mangoes using this chemical, which can cause serious harm to the health of people. Today, we will tell you what problems can be caused by this chemical and how one can avoid its effects.

Calcium carbide is commonly used for ripening fruits like mango, which releases acetylene gas, which contains the harmful elements arsenic and phosphorus. These dangerous elements are also known as Masala. Due to this chemical, people may face serious health problems like dizziness, frequent thirst, burning sensations, weakness, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and skin ulcers. Apart from this, acetylene gas is also equally dangerous. It is believed that while using calcium carbide, it can come into direct contact with the fruits and leave elements of arsenic and phosphorus on the fruits. This can pose serious health risks.

Now, the question is how to identify artificially ripened mangoes. According to experts, mangoes ripened with calcium carbide may have black spots and a stronger smell than naturally ripened mangoes, due to which people should be cautious. If the mango looks excessively yellow, then you should avoid buying such mangoes. Apart from this, if you are buying mangoes and they taste strange and are spoiling within a few days, it can be a sign that the mangoes have been ripened using chemicals.

Mangoes should only be purchased from trustworthy fruit vendors to prevent the harmful effects of calcium carbide. The mango should be properly cleansed with water as soon as you get it home to get rid of any debris that may have stuck to its outer surface. If the mangoes are spoiling soon, then avoid buying such mangoes because this may happen due to chemicals. Apart from this, if your health worsens after eating mango, then immediately consult a doctor.