Hyderabad: City Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar warned the public against adulterated mangoes in Hyderabad and urged citizens to remain cautious during the summer season.
He said traders were using harmful chemicals such as calcium carbide to artificially ripen mangoes for quick profits. As a result, these fruits posed serious health risks to consumers.
With mangoes flooding the market, he cautioned that their bright colour and shiny appearance could mislead buyers. Instead, he advised people not to judge quality based on appearance alone.
He explained that naturally ripened mangoes do not have uniform colour, whereas chemically ripened fruits often appear yellow outside but remain raw inside. Such fruits, he said, could turn toxic.
CP Sajjanar flags health risks from chemically ripened mangoes
Further, he said consuming such mangoes could cause throat irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In addition, long-term exposure could damage the nervous system and lead to respiratory issues, as warned by medical experts.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad Police intensified action against traders involved in adulteration. H-FAST teams have been monitoring the sale of mangoes and tracking violations.
He said authorities would take strict action against those endangering public health. At the same time, he urged citizens to identify natural produce and avoid suspicious fruits.
He advised people to stay alert to unnatural colour, chemical smell, or unusual taste in mangoes. Moreover, fruits showing abnormal spots or colour change when washed in baking soda water should be treated as unsafe.
Finally, he asked citizens to report any information on adulterated mangoes by dialling 100 or contacting H-FAST at 8712661212.