Premature mangoes are dangerous to your health. (Food & Disadvantage)
Mangoes are often referred to as the "king of fruits" due to their delicious taste and nutritional value. As summer approaches, the demand for mangoes skyrockets in many parts of the world. However, with this rising demand, a serious health concern has emerged—premature mangoes. These are mangoes that are harvested before they fully ripen and are then artificially ripened using harmful chemicals. One of the most alarming methods is that it is injected or packed with calcium carbide, a toxic substance that poses a significant risk to human health.
In this article, we will explore what prematurely ripened mangoes are, how they are artificially ripened, the health risks involved, and the treatment and precautions you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.
What Are Premature Mangoes?
Premature mangoes are fruits that are picked before they naturally ripen on the tree. Normally, a mango ripens on the tree, developing its natural sugar content and aroma. But due to the high commercial demand and pressure to reach markets early, farmers or vendors harvest the fruits prematurely and use artificial methods to ripen them.
This not only affects the taste and nutritional value of the fruit but also introduces dangerous chemicals into the food chain.
Read More:
How Are They Artificially Ripened?
The most commonly used method to artificially ripen mangoes is through the application of calcium carbide. Often, it is injected or packed with calcium carbide to speed up the ripening process. Calcium carbide contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus, both of which are hazardous to human health.
When calcium carbide comes in contact with moisture, it produces acetylene gas, which mimics the natural ripening hormone ethylene. However, unlike natural ethylene, acetylene gas is not safe and can cause serious side effects when ingested.
In many local markets, vendors wrap mangoes in newspapers soaked with calcium carbide or place them in crates with packets of this harmful chemical. This practice is not only illegal in many countries but also extremely dangerous.
Why Is It Dangerous to Your Health?
Consuming mangoes that have been artificially ripened using calcium carbide can have severe consequences. It is dangerous to your health because calcium carbide is a known carcinogen and neurotoxin. The gas released during the ripening process does not just affect the fruit externally; it penetrates the flesh of the mango, making it toxic.
Read More:
Here are some of the adverse effects:
1. Respiratory Problems: Acetylene gas can irritate the mucous membrane and cause breathing difficulties, especially in children and the elderly.
2. Neurological Effects: Prolonged exposure to calcium carbide may cause symptoms like dizziness, mood disturbances, and memory loss.
3. Digestive Issues: These include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.
4. Hormonal Imbalance: The chemical can interfere with hormonal functions, affecting metabolism and growth.
5. Cancer Risk: Some components in calcium carbide are carcinogenic, which means they may increase the risk of cancer over time.
Several types of diseases may occur.
How to Identify Artificially Ripened Mangoes
Due to the consumption of artificially ripened, premature mangoes, several types of diseases may occur. These include:
Peptic ulcers
Gastrointestinal infections
Skin allergies
Food poisoning
Liver and kidney disorders
Read More:
Pregnant women, children, and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable. These groups should be particularly cautious about consuming mangoes that may have been treated with harmful chemicals.
To protect yourself and your family, it’s essential to know how to identify artificially ripened mangoes. Here are some tips:
1. Colour: Artificially ripened mangoes usually have an unnatural, uniform colour with a greenish tinge.
2. Texture: They may be too soft or pulpy, even if they don’t look fully ripe.
3. Smell: These mangoes often lack the sweet, fruity aroma that naturally ripened mangoes have.
4. Ripening Pattern: Mangoes ripened with calcium carbide often ripen from the outside, leaving the inside hard and tasteless.
Treatment and Precaution
If you suspect that you or someone you know has consumed artificially ripened mangoes and is experiencing symptoms, immediate treatment and precaution are necessary.
Read More:
Treatment
1. Seek Medical Help: For severe symptoms like difficulty in breathing or intense stomach pain, consult a doctor immediately.
2. Activated Charcoal: It may be used in cases of poisoning to absorb toxins in the digestive system.
3. Hydration: Drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins from the body.
4. Antioxidants: Consume fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants to combat the effects of toxins.
Read More:
Precaution
1. Buy from Trusted Sources: Purchase mangoes from certified organic stores or farmers who follow ethical farming practices.
2. Soak and Wash: Soak mangoes in water for at least 30 minutes before consumption to remove any surface chemicals.
3. Peel the Skin: Always peel mangoes instead of eating them with the skin to reduce the intake of toxins.
4. Grow Your Own: If possible, consider growing mangoes or buying from local orchards that do not use artificial ripening agents.
5. Spread Awareness: Educate others about the dangers of calcium carbide and the importance of natural ripening.
Read More:
Legal Measures and Food Safety Regulations
In many countries, the use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits is banned. For instance, in India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) prohibits the use of calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits and suggests the use of ethylene gas in controlled environments as a safer alternative.
Despite this, the illegal use of calcium carbide continues due to lack of enforcement and awareness. Consumers must be vigilant and report such practices to food safety authorities when noticed.
0 Comments
If you are dissatisfied with my opinion, kindly send me an e-mail.
Emoji