J&K Food Safety Department Issues Advisory on Artificially Ripened Fruits Ahead of Ramazan
J&K Food Safety Department Issues Advisory on Artificially Ripened Fruits Ahead of Ramazan
As the holy month of Ramazan approaches, the Department of Food Safety in Jammu and Kashmir is urging residents not to fret over rumors circulating about an influx of artificially ripened fruits inundating local markets.
A department official informed the Kashmir Observer that teams have been deployed across all districts to ensure that fruits and vegetables available in markets are devoid of harmful chemicals.
Social media has been abuzz with reports claiming an abundance of artificially ripened watermelons in Kashmir markets just before Ramazan.
“This isn’t watermelon season. Refrain from consuming artificially ripened watermelons this Ramadan. Safeguard yourself from chemicals to avoid potential health issues,” warned Dr. Wajahat, a clinical oncologist, on Twitter.
During Ramazan, fruit consumption, particularly watermelon, traditionally surges in the valley. However, concerns persist regarding the availability of artificially ripened fruits in the market.
Shagufa Jalal, Deputy Commissioner of J&K Drug and Food Control Organization, assured routine market inspections across Kashmir to ensure consumer safety by detecting any adulteration or contamination in fruits and vegetables.
“We conduct regular market checks and surveillance sampling every third week of the month. Thus far, no reports of adulterated fruit have been received,” Jalal stated.
Addressing the influx of watermelons, another department official explained that watermelon cultivation occurs in different states throughout various seasons. Therefore, their presence in the market could be attributed to natural growth or controlled atmosphere storage.
Mushtaq Ahmad, an official from the food safety department, disclosed that recent surveillance samples of fresh fruits and vegetables did not indicate any harmful elements during December 2023 inspections.
“Our examinations for pesticides and other chemicals yielded negative results,” Ahmad affirmed. He elaborated that 382 samples were collected in January and February, with only 22 items showing negative results, none of which were contaminated.
Furthermore, Ahmad emphasized that recent assessments of fresh fruit samples showed no significant negative findings.
Jammu and Kashmir has consistently ranked highest in the Food Safety Index among Union Territories for the past three years, reflecting its commitment to food safety standards.
Officials encourage the public to visit the Food Safety of India website for guidance on assessing the quality of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, updates on food safety are regularly shared on social media platforms, and individuals can contact the Jammu and Kashmir Food Safety Department via the toll-free number 104 for further inquiries.
