THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY)
(a)&(b) There have been reports in Media that some hazardous chemicals are being used
for early ripening and to increase the size of fruits and vegetables and milk production. Clause 2.3.5 of The Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales), Regulations 2011 prohibits sale of fruits which has been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas commonly known as carbide gas produced from Calcium Carbide. There is no provision of use of ripening hormones under the Food Safety and Standards Act/ Rules / Regulations. However, the Ministry of Agriculture has recommended use of ethylene gas in low concentration exogenously to trigger ripening of fruits.
The details of cases, persons booked /convicted are not maintained centrally.
However, as per information provided by some of the States, action taken during the
last three years(2008-2010) is as follows:-
Name of State Number of prosecutions launched
Delhi 1
Goa 5
Maharashtra 28
Uttar Pradesh 50
(c) & (d) : Following the reports of use of the artificial colouring / ripening agents in
vegetables / fruits, a Joint Committee for Research on Food Safety, was formulated in August,
2010 under Co-Chairmanship of the Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
and the Director General, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) to address the various
issues relating to safety of using ripening and coloring agents, and any other relevant issues
in nutrition & food safety which emerge from time to time. The Committee has recommended further
research studies and has identified areas of study to generate information / data regarding
the extent of use and effect of artificial ripening agents and other chemicals in fruits and
vegetables.
(e) :Implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act/ Rules / Regulations rests
with State /U.T. Governments. The Commissioners Food Safety /Food (Health) Authority of
States / UTs, who are responsible for implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
and its Rules/regulations in their States / UTs, have been requested from time to time to keep
a strict vigil on use of carbide gas and other hazardous chemicals for ripening of fruits and
take legal action for violation of the above provision of the Act/ Regulations. The State
Governments have also been advised to educate the public through mass/ electronic media against
consumption of such artificially ripened fruits, vegetables and milk.
