Artificially ripened mangoes destroyed

PUDUCHERRY: As much as 2.5 tonnes of artificially ripened mangoes were seized from two godowns and destroyed on Tuesday.The officials, led by tahsildar M S Ramesh, raided two godowns at Thanampalayam, near Thavalakuppam where they seized mangoes worth Rs 1.5 lakhs. These mangoes, ripened using calcium carbide, were crushed and destroyed using a JCB vehicle. According to health experts, consumption of artificially ripened fruits may cause serious health problems. Calcium carbide is a hazardous chemical and contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus hydride. It can cause unconsciousness, vomiting, diarrhoea, eye and skin irritation on consumption. It may even lead to permanent vision loss, intestinal problem and memory loss.Destruction of such huge quantity of mangoes irked locals and MLA Purushothaman questioned officials about it but when the officials explained the harmful effects of consuming the artificially ripened mangoes they dispersed peacefully.