FOOD ADULTERATION

Rule of thumb - When there is high demand and low supply, greed becomes prevalent, the ultimate result is spike in unhealthy and artificial foods. 

Mangoes - Mangoes can be artificially ripened by using Calcium carbide and ethylene gas. 

• Calcium carbide - Toxic to human health. Carcinogenic(causes cancer), increases inflammation causing heart diseases and affects nervous system, damage to vital organs, causes diabetes, skin problems, respiratory problems, allergy, jaundice etc..,

• Ethylene gas - Ethylene is a hormone naturally produced within the fruit to stimulate ripening process of fruits and doesn't  pose any health hazards to consumers. So, fssai approved use of ethylene gas for artificial ripening of mangoes and other fruits, as consumption of such fruits are not harmful.

Watermelon - Erythrosine (Red No.3) and sugar water are common adulterants used to give red color to watermelon and increase sweetness of watermelon.

• Erythrosine(Red No.3) - It is synthetic red dye commonly used as food coloring agent. It can cause allergy, Thyroid dysfunction, Hepatotoxic(liver damage), cancers, hyperactivity and behavioral issues. Some studies show that erythrosine may be safe at permissibe limit, while other studies show that erythrosine can be toxic even at permissible limit. So it is controversial, So best to assume it is not safe for human health

• Sugar water - Added sugars are always harmful to health in excess amounts as they promote inflammation, diabetes, atherosclerosis, heart diseases etc..,