Balasore fruit market faces allegations of chemical banana ripening

Allegations of using prohibited chemicals to artificially ripen bananas have emerged at the Phandi Chhak fruit market in the Balasore district of Odisha, India. Reports suggest that traders may be using chemical agents to turn green bananas yellow overnight to accelerate sales, particularly during the festive season.

Local residents and health experts have raised concerns regarding the safety of these fruits. Dr. Mrutyunjay Mahapatra warned that exposure to such chemicals could lead to gastrointestinal issues, skin problems, and infections, noting that children and the elderly are especially vulnerable.

During field reports, a vendor allegedly responded to questions about health risks by stating, “What do I lose if people eat it and die?” While some traders denied applying chemicals directly to the fruit, others claimed that carbide is placed at the bottom of storage boxes to facilitate the ripening process.