FSSAI urges States, UTs to crack down on illegal fruit ripening

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged all States and Union Territories to intensify inspections and carry out special enforcement drives to curb the illegal use of non-permitted fruit ripening agents, as well as the colouring and coating of fruits with synthetic colours or non-permitted wax. 

In a notification, the FSSAI urged the Commissioners of Food Safety of all States and Union Territories, as well as



the Regional Directors of FSSAI, to maintain strict vigilance over fruit markets and mandis, to curb the illegal use of ripening agents such as calcium carbide. FSSAI also urged all Food Business Operators to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures to ensure safe and compliant ripening practices. The Authority reiterated that any violation of norms will lead to strict penal action under the FSS Act, 2006.