Mangoes being tested for carbide residue in Karnataka

Bengaluru: In tandem with Telangana's crackdown on chemically ripened mangoes, Karnataka authorities have also stepped up surveillance. Health department officials said mango samples from Kolar, the state's largest supply hub, are being tested for chemical residue. "Tests for chemical traces are also being conducted on fruits from other regions sold in Bengaluru markets," an official told TOI.The move comes after enforcement teams in Hyderabad recently seized 200kg of artificially ripened mangoes. As part of wider surveillance, Karnataka's food safety teams have also tested 60 watermelon samples, including 22 in Bengaluru. "They were found safe for colouring agents," officials said. "The food safety department is also collecting samples of concentrated fruit juices to check for adulteration." Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has cautioned against buying fruits with black blotches, which may indicate ripening using acetylene gas from calcium carbide. FSSAI also recommends washing fruit thoroughly with potable running water before consumption.At the same time, supply concerns are emerging due to weather-related crop losses. Dr M N Thimmegowda, professor and head of agrometeorology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, said yields have plummeted. "While flowering was good in Nov, there was no rain in March. The rise in temperature coupled with low soil moisture caused flowers to drop," he said. "As trees conserve resources, fruits also drop when small and do not reach full growth."