More than 1,000 kg of artificially ripened mangoes seized

: More than 1000 kg of artificially ripened mangoes worth around Rs 35,000 have been seized by health department officials from vendors at various places in Kanchipuram district.

Joint Director of health department, Dr Krishna Rajan said officials conducted raids at Sunguvachathiram, Kanchipuram and Uthiramerur yesterday and seized 196 kg, 800 kg and 63 kg of chemically ripened mangoes from vendors, following frequent complaints from the public.

The vendors usually conceal calcium carbide in between stacks of mangoes to hasten the ripening process. Use of the chemical for ripening fruits has been banned and experts have warned that consumption of such fruits could lead to severe health problems.