Profit Over People: Traders Poison Mangoes for Faster Sales
In a major crackdown, Hyderabad’s food safety team seized around 200 kilograms of mangoes artificially ripened using calcium carbide, a hazardous chemical banned for food use. Calcium carbide, commonly used in industrial welding, releases acetylene gas when exposed to moisture—mimicking natural ripening but leaving behind toxic residues like arsenic and phosphorus.
Experts warn that consuming such mangoes can cause immediate issues like stomach irritation, acidity, and ulcers, while long-term exposure may damage vital organs including the liver, kidneys, and nervous system, and even increase cancer risk.
Alarmingly, washing or peeling the fruit does not fully eliminate these toxins, as they penetrate the pulp. Authorities highlight that repeated low-level exposure allows toxins to accumulate silently in the body, making the threat even more dangerous.
Consumers are advised to remain vigilant while purchasing mangoes—checking for natural aroma, uniform ripening, and texture—and to prefer fruits ripened through safe, natural methods. The incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of food safety norms and increased public awareness to prevent hazardous practices driven by profit motives.
