Fake mango, also known as artificially ripened mango, actually refers to the ripening of real mangoes using harmful chemicals like calcium carbide or ethephon instead of natural methods. Every year hundreds of kilograms of mangoes are artificially ripened and sent to the market to meet the demand before the season starts. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), buyers should pay attention to the appearance, touch, smell, and quality of mangoes before buying them and avoid buying chemically ripened mangoes. For this, let's take a look at the most common chemicals used to ripen mangoes.
As per experts, the most commonly used chemical agent for ripening mangoes is calcium carbide. It contains impurities like arsenic and phosphorus, which make it extremely harmful. It can cause long-term health problems like headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even cancer. Another chemical that is commonly used is ethylene gas. It is a colourless, flammable gas with the chemical formula C₂H₄. It is a natural plant hormone. It is commonly used to ripen fruits. Its excessive use can pose a serious threat to the human body.
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