Fruits markets abound with chemically-treated mangoes

Almost all the fruit markets in and around Rajshahi city are overflowing with chemically-treated mangoes, thanks to the negligence and lax monitoring of the authorities.

The Bangladesh Pure Food Ordinance 2005 has prohibited the use of any poisonous or dangerous chemicals or ingredients such as calcium carbide, formalin, pesticides and intoxicating food colour or flavour in any food which may cause injuries to the human body.

Violating the law, wholesalers supply mangoes from Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj to the capital and other parts of the country after treating them with chemicals.

City dwellers blame law enforcement agencies for not taking adequate actions against these fraudulent businessmen.

Abdur Rahman, a resident of the city, said fruit traders continue to mix chemicals into various kinds of fruits as the law enforcement agencies failed to set an example by stern punishment against such corrupt people.

While talking to this correspondent, many fruit wholesalers confessed that they were selling calcium carbide-ripened mango to avoid suffering financial losses in the business of perishable food items.

They said they used chemicals to ripen the mangoes as well as to make the colour rich and shiny.

A trader, who preferred to be unnamed, said customers wanted to buy neat, clean, colourful and glossy mangoes. But naturally ripened mangoes lose their bright colour, and that’s why they feel encouraged to use chemicals.

Businessmen from Rajshahi region said generally they used calcium carbide and formalin to ripen and preserve mangoes.

Traders said they used 100 gram calcium carbide in 50kg of mangoes. This calcium carbide produces heat and acetylene gas that ripens and cleans the mangoes automatically.

Joynal Abedin, who sells fruits at Baneshor Bazar, told the Dhaka Tribune that he mixed medicines into his mangoes to give the fruit a better look.

When this correspondent wanted to know the name of the medicine, he said, “I am not sure about the name, but it works like magic and this medicine is available in every pharmacy in the city.”

Mustafizur Rahman, associate professor of agriculture at Rajshahi University, told the Dhaka Tribune that advance processing and packaging systems are a must to ripen and preserve fruits and to stop such adulteration.

Senior Scientific Officer of Rajshahi Fruit Research Station Abdul Alim said farmers should use chemicals only two times, before and after budding.

Kazi Giash, president of district Consumer Association of Bangladesh Rajshahi unit, said, “We do not have any authority to conduct mobile court drives against food adulteration without an administrative magistrate. But we are continuing our motivational work.”

Sukumar Kundu, deputy director of Consumer Right Preservation Department Rajshahi office, said they are conducting drives to check the use of chemicals and contaminants in food products.

Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), the regulatory body which monitors quality of foods, emphasised creating mass awareness about health hazards posed by chemically-treated fruits.

The BSTI conduct drives twice a week against such malpractice, said Rezaul Islam, deputy director in Rajshahi.

“We do not even get magistrates in time to conduct drives,” he added.

When contacted, Mir Shahidul Islam, deputy inspector general of police in Rajshahi, said necessary initiatives will be taken in this regard.

Commanding Officer of Rapid Action Battalion 5 Kamrul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune that the elite force is trying its best to stop such illegal practice, but civic groups must come forward to help as well.