MLA says preservatives on fruits could've given him cirrhosis

Claiming to be a teetotaler, former Goa deputy chief minister Sudin Dhavalikar said in the Assembly on Wednesday that preservatives sprayed on fruits could have been the reason he suffered from cirrhosis.

Speaking during a discussion on demands for grants of the Food and Drugs Administration, he demanded monitoring of shops selling fruits and vegetables.

The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA, who was second in-command when then chief minister Manohar Parrikar was being treated abroad, had kept his own health problems under wraps so far though he was treated at a hospital in Chennai.

"A scan revealed that I am having cirrhosis of liver. I was surprised as during my entire life, I never consumed liquor, smoked or used tobacco product," Dhavalikar said.

"Preservatives are used on fruits, which is taking toll on health," he said, appealing health minister Vishwajit Rane to monitor fruit and vegetable outlets in the state.