A team from the food safety wing of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) conducted a thorough inspection of fruit vendors at the Khanderao market and the Verai Mata circle in the city on Apr 13.

During the drive, approximately 55 fruit shops were inspected, and 85 kg of inedible fruits were destroyed on the spot.

The inspection was conducted to keep the health and well-being of the people in check.

Eight teams, including food inspectors, began the inspection at the markets, where a large number of fruit vendors ply their trade.

During the inspection, they found rotten fruits, including mangoes and chikoos, and these were destroyed on the spot.

In the past, some mango traders used carbide powder to ripen fruits for quick profit. However, during the inspection drive, no carbide powder was found at any vendor in the markets.

Additional health officer Dr Mukesh Vaidya stated that the use of carbide powder has been banned by the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), and therefore, fruit vendors are now using ethylene ripening instead, which is why carbide powder is no longer found.

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