 |
|
BANANA SPLIT: Traders say they have no option, but to use chemicals to ripen fruits. The container (circled) contains carbide powder. Pic/rita ghose |
Said food inspector A B Khule, "We received information that banana sellers were mixing carbide powder with ice and applying it externally on the fruits. We have taken samples to analyse the contents. We will ensure that the offenders are punished." FDA officials said this wasn't the first time they had caught banana sellers resorting to such methods.
Traders too accepted the allegation. "We have no choice, but to use chemicals. Usually, bananas take 15 days to ripen. So, we place the bananas on ice mixed with carbide powder to ripen them within four days. This also gives the fruits an appealing yellow colour," said a trader, on condition of anonymity.
He added that mangoes, apples, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and several other fruits and vegetables were injected with chemicals at farms. "This happens not only at the Vile Parle (W) market, but at markets all over.
Traders will not profit without injecting the chemicals. Hotels use harmful chemicals as well," he pointed out.
Another reason?
The traders at the market, however, claimed the real reason behind the raid was different. A trader said, "They will take 40 days for their analysis. By then, the bananas will get spoilt. I will have to suffer a loss of Rs 40,000.
They are harassing us because we refused to pay them Rs 10,000 to stop sealing our stock. This is the work of builder Abhijit Rane, who wants to redevelop our market without compensating us."
The agitated traders threatened the FDA officials and only stopped when police officers intervened and warned them of strict punishment if they interfered with the work of government officials.
Rane of Manthan Builders and Developers remained unavailable for comment.
