Prevailing Practices of Artificial Ripening of Mango, Banana and Papaya through Calcium Carbide in Jharkhand

Food safety and health security is the major challenge in the today's scenario. Food is being deliberately contaminated, either by mixing banned or sub standard materials or using illegal practices. Most fruit sellers use Calcium carbide for ripening the fruits. Calcium carbide is extremely hazardous to the human body as it contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus. It is banned in many countries of the world, but it is freely used in India. Hence we are at risk of shortterm and long-term health effects simply by eating fruits that are induced to ripen. This paper reveals practices of artificial ripening of Mango, Banana and Papaya through calcium carbide in Jharkhand.