The FSSAI advises avoiding fruits that have black spots on their skin. Some of the intermediaries use chemicals to ripen these mangoes. Commonly, they use acetylene gas produced from calcium carbide
Mango season has officially arrived in India, where you can now choose from a wide variety of mouthwatering types such as Alphonso, Langda (Benarasi Langra or Malda Mangro), and Dasheri. However, how can you ensure that you pick an organically ripened mango devoid of chemicals from a wide range of products and vendors? We decided to ask specialists for an explanation because we could not stop worrying about it. For those unaware, mangoes are a powerhouse of health advantages, containing Vitamin C, Vitamin A, fibre, and antioxidants.
While choosing naturally ripened fruits is crucial, industrial malpractices result in the free availability of artificially ripened mangoes, which can be quite dangerous. A statement from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) states that fruits artificially ripened and used “safe ripening agents” are said to be safe for human consumption worldwide.
Safe Ripening Agents
Which trustworthy alternatives are available?
Several safe alternatives are available to ripen mangoes instead of calcium carbide. Using ethylene gas, a naturally occurring plant hormone that fruits release when they ripen is one such technique. You can ripen mangoes more quickly with ethylene gas, which does not harm people’s health.
As per experts’ advice, the press and smell test is an ideal way to identify how the mango is ripened, either naturally or artificially, in case the Mango’s origin is unknown.
Mangos should ideally have an oval, bean-shaped form. Mangoes that are round and plump, especially around the base, are what you should choose. One should be able to smell the sweetness. Additionally, the surface of artificially ripened mangoes contains spots that are a combination of green and yellow. Organically ripened mangoes have a consistent mixture of green and yellow, according to Dr Santosh Pandey, a naturopath at Mumbai’s Rejua Energy Centre.
How can I tell if a mango is ripe naturally?
*Drop the mangoes into a pail of water. The naturally ripened mangoes sink. Whereas the artificially harvested float.
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The most often-used home hack is this one, but is it effective? Yes, Dr. Pandey replied. He said, “An organic mango, on the other hand, will have a lot of “natural juice,” whereas an artificially ripened mango will have very little or no juice flowing out.
Cut an artificially ripened mango in half to reveal that the inner pulp of the fruit is a different colour from the outer pulp. However, Dr. Pandey stated, “There will be a uniform yellow in naturally matured mangoes.”
How can I choose the best mangoes?
- Buy fruits and vegetables from reputable retailers and dealers. Or known vendors that assert non-usage of hazardous or outlawed chemicals for ripening the mangoes.
- Before consuming, carefully wash fruits under running potable water.
- Avoid fruits with black spots on their skin since the acetylene gas created from calcium carbide is probably ripening these fruits.
Consumers must be cautious while picking the royal fruit. Now that you know how to identify artificially ripened mangoes, keep them away. The hazardous chemicals can harm your health and create complications if consumed repeatedly.
Test for the ripening process of the mangoes and complain to FSSAI if you find any chemicals used to ripen a mango. It’s crucial to eliminate the evil elements that ditch the consumers for a quick buck.
(Source: Indianexpress.com, Indiatimes.com)
