Telangana govt to check calcium carbide levels in fruits, vegetables

Hyderabad: The city administration is planning to provide mini kits to monitor the calcium carbide levels in fruits and vegetables. The food inspectors with the help of the kit can test the produce on the spot and can avoid sending samples for laboratory testing. The authorities initiated a plan of action to request the Central government for the kits.

Hyderabad District Joint Collector M Prashanthi has been appointed the Chairman of the committee. The committee comprises of Police, Transport, Agriculture and Marketing Departments. The food laboratories usually take three-fourteen days to check the produce. The long wait keeps the officials from taking any action. The kit is a simple method based on bio-functionalised nano- metal composite which can detect artificial ripening by calcium carbide.

M Prashanthi said, “Only the plan of action has been formulated and we need to order the kits. The kits for spot inspection of fruits and vegetables will be a simple and fast process for the inspectors. The food safety department will be provided with the kits to monitor calcium carbide levels in fruit and vegetables.”Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Food Inspector K Balaji Raju said that with the use of the mini kits it will be easy and simple to check for calcium carbide levels as soon the produce enters the markets. The method will help punish the guilty and to create awareness at the earliest.