With the surge in demand for fruits during summer, some fruits vendors and dealers in nexus with agents are resorting to artificially ripening of fruits.
Several such racketeers are using ethylene powder to artificially ripen the fruits and sell them in markets across Mumbai.
The season of mangoes has arrived. The mangoes are in high demand in the market and are sold at inflated prices. Taking an advantage of the opportunity, many vendors deceive the consumers. Therefore, the state government has warned of stern action against such vendors this time.
State Agriculture Minister Dadaji Bhuse on Tuesday, April 13, has directed the authorities to take strict action to curb such practices.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had also embargoed the direct use of ethylene powder and calcium carbide to ripen fruits and vegetables due to serious adverse health hazards.
There are various forms of Mango, such as Alphonso, Amrapali, Kesar, Payari, Raiwal, Langada, Dashahari are also sold in large quantities during summer.
Earlier, during the Agriculture Minister's visit to the city, he observed that other types of mangoes are being sold everywhere as "Konkan Alphonso". As a result, farmers and consumers are being cheated, pointed out Sindhudurg MLA Vaibhav Naik. The Agriculture Minister also brought this to the notice of Marketing Minister Balasaheb Patil.
Besides, this is affecting the income of farmers in Konkan. After this matter came to light, as per the suggestion of the Marketing Minister, the Agricultural Produce Market Committee, Mumbai has issued a circular on April 12, 2021.
The circular stated that the complaints received should be taken seriously and legal action should be taken against the concerned in accordance with the provisions of the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development and Regulation) Act, 1963.
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