Food safety officials received a tip-off that mangoes were being chemically ripened and sold in shops in Tirupur district.
Tirupur: With the onset of the mango season, mangoes have started piling up in many shops.
Malgoa, Banginapalli, Panganapalli, Imam Pasand, Naduchalai and Salem mangoes are the diverse varieties of mangoes available in the shops. Food safety officials received a tip-off that mangoes were being chemically ripened and sold in shops in Tirupur district.
Following this, officials led by the Tirupur District Food Security Recruitment Officer, Vijaya Lalithambika conducted a surprise inspection of mango shops and coupons at the Tirupur Rice Shop Street and market areas. The raid resulted in the discovery of about two tonnes of mangoes in four stores being ripened with the ethylene chemical.
Subsequently, the mangoes were confiscated by the food authorities and destroyed. Also, notices and warnings have been issued to these shops.
The public has often demanded that food authorities conduct such surprise raids to prevent the sale of mangoes that are ripened with ethylene which can lead to various physical ailments.