FSSAI Orders Crackdown On Illegal Fruit Ripening Agents
India's food safety regulator has directed states to intensify checks against the illegal use of calcium carbide and other unsafe ripening agents.
India's food safety regulator has directed states and Union Territories to intensify checks against the illegal use of calcium carbide and other unsafe ripening agents in fruits.
The move comes during peak summer fruit season, when mangoes, bananas and papayas are widely sold across markets. Calcium carbide, often referred to as "masala," is banned because of serious health risks.
"India's story in 2026 is no longer about catching up — it's about defining what comes next."
FSSAI has asked officials to increase inspections in fruit markets, cold storage facilities and distribution centres. The regulator has also reminded traders that safer alternatives, such as regulated ethylene use, must follow proper guidelines.
For consumers, the crackdown is a timely warning. Shiny or evenly ripened fruit may not always mean better quality.
Food safety is becoming a bigger part of everyday lifestyle choices in India. As demand for seasonal fruit rises, trust in markets and enforcement will matter more.
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