Letters: Forbidden fruit

This refers to the editorial "Mango ban" (May 5). Even though there is a glut of Alphonso mangoes in the domestic market after the European Union ban, it is unfortunate that the artificial ripening of mangoes and other fruits has not stopped. Such fruits are then sold in the domestic market. Prices of mangoes have not come down and they continue to sell at Rs 450 a dozen in suburbs such as Goregaon. Moreover, there is a risk of the mangoes being laced with calcium carbide (a harmful chemical that is clearly visible on the fruit since it is white in colour). Other fruit such as bananas, pineapples and papayas are also artificially ripened. Who will save the consumers from such harmful practice? The authorities seem to be helpless. The EU ban is, however, helping Pakistan since it is a major exporter of mangoes to the EU after India.

Deendayal M Lulla Mumbai

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