Guwahati Authorities Seize 100 kg of Illegally Ripened Mangoes

Guwahati: Food safety officials in Guwahati seized nearly 100 kg of mangoes during an enforcement drive at Beltola Market on June 6. Inspections revealed the fruit had been artificially ripened using calcium carbide, a chemical banned for its potential health risks.

Authorities collected enforcement samples during the operation for laboratory analysis to determine further legal steps. The seized fruit was handed over to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation for proper disposal as part of the department's ongoing crackdown on prohibited ripening agents.

The department has stepped up market inspections ahead of the peak fruit season to enforce safety standards. Food safety authorities issued a clear message to vendors, stating, "strict action would be taken against violators under the Food Safety and Standards Act." Traders are urged to abandon the use of harmful chemicals to ensure consumer safety across city markets.