Massive Raid Conducted at Grain Market: 5 Tonnes of Papaya Seized & Destroyed

By 121 News

Chandigarh 12^th May:- In view of the ongoing summer season artificial ripening of fruits like mango, papaya with calcium carbide is common practice adopted by various Food Business Operators. The use of which is prohibited for ripening of fruits under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The ripened fruits with the above said chemical cause serious health problems.

Looking into the seriousness of the matter the Food Safety Officers Bharat Kanojia, Surinder Pal Singh, Bhaljinder Singh, Mandeep Kaur and Navneet Bagga in early hours conducted a massive raid in the area of Grain Market, Sector 26, Chandigarh as directed by the Designated Officer, Food Safety Administration, Chandigarh. The officers from the Food & Supply Department also accompanied the team. Many go downs and shops where fruits like mango and papaya were stored were inspected and it was found during inspection that the Food Business Operators were using Calcium Carbide for its ripening. Approx. 5.4 tons of papaya was seized and destroyed in the dumping ground of Chandigarh through the vehicles of Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh.

The traders dealing in sale, storage and distribution of fruits are advised not to use any type of hazardous chemical for the ripening of fruits. If anybody is found violating the provisions of Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 and the Rules & Regulations, 2011 framed there under, action will be initiated against the such violators.