The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Hyderabad): In a concerted effort to clamp down on the illegal practice of chemically ripening fruit, the Hyderabad police’s Commissioner’s task force, in collaboration with food safety officers from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), launched a series of raids on fruit warehouses across the city. These operations targeted vendors accused of using hazardous chemicals to artificially ripen mangoes, a popular fruit among locals and tourists alike.
The raids took place in various parts of Hyderabad, including Habeeb Nagar, Bhavaninagar, Chaderghat, Afzalgunj, and Sultan Bazaar, uncovering significant quantities of mangoes treated with carbide and ethylene, substances known for their use in hastening the ripening process of fruits but posing serious health risks to consumers. The police’s crackdown on these practices was detailed in a press conference held in Hyderabad on Wednesday, where the officials presented their findings and highlighted the health implications of consuming such artificially ripened fruits.
Among those apprehended in the operation was E. Rameshwar, a 60-year-old vendor from Mangalhat, found in possession of 1,300 kg of artificially ripened mangoes, valued at approximately ₹4.55 lakh, along with the chemicals used in the ripening process. Additionally, Irfan Khan, 35, from Asif Nagar, and Mohd Hussain, 47, from Aghapura were caught with mangoes worth ₹3 lakh. Syed Zahoor, 36, was also nabbed with 1,860 kg of mangoes worth ₹4.10 lakh in his possession.
Further actions led to the arrest of Syed Mastaan, 34, from Charminar, with mangoes valued at ₹96,000, and Syed Aslam, 32, alongside Syed Sadullah, 32, who were found with 25 trays of mangoes. These raids underscore the authorities’ commitment to ensuring food safety and public health by targeting illegal practices that compromise the quality and safety of food consumed by the public. The operation serves as a warning to others engaged in similar practices, highlighting the government’s stringent stance on food safety violations.