Surprise raid nets 9 tonnes of chemically-ripened fruits in Koyambedu

The four-hour inspection, which was held between 4 am and 8 am, was the third such exercise against vendors resorting to artificial ripening of fruits in recent months, officials claimed.

“Acting on a tip-off, the team conducted raids on 58 shops and found a number of traders possessing ethylene sachets. The team also found mangoes and papaya ripened using ethylene powder,” said A Sathasivam, a food safety official.

The value of the seized fruits was put at Rs 4.2 lakh, while the officials also seized three kg of ethylene, a ripening agent.

Despite warnings, vendors were chemicals to ripen the fruits in a bid make quick money utilising the season’s demand. P Manimaran, another official of the department, said, “Though they are aware of the rules and the warning, vendors are violating them. 

They should realise that such fruits will take a toll on consumer’s health.” The officials destroyed the seized fruits at the bio-methanation plant in Koyambedu. It may be noted that the food safety department seized 800 kg of mangoes and two tonnes of papaya on April 24, while they confiscated 750 kg of banana, 3.25 kg of Chikku, one tonne of mango on March 11.