Concerned over the application of calcium carbide to ripen fruits despite a nationwide ban on such practice, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in response to a petition from an Odisha-based rights activist Akhand, has sought an action-taken report (ATR) from the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.
The NHRC on Wednesday ordered the Health and Family Welfare Ministry Secretary to file the report within eight weeks. Akhand in his petition to the NHRC has alleged that traders in the country continue to use calcium carbide to ripen fruits such as mangoes, bananas, oranges and watermelon despite the Central Government banning the practice.
He has said the use of calcium carbide is strictly banned in India as per the PoFA (Prevention of Food Adulteration) Act (Section 44AA) because it contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus, which pose a serious threat to human health. Acetylene gas, a by-product of calcium carbide, creates heat which is mainly used as a fuel for welding torches, and contains toxic impurities that affect the nervous system.
Alleging that the Government was doing precious little to curb the use of calcium carbide to ripen fruits, Akhand has stated that spreading awareness about this among the masses is necessary. The rules are not being enforced with utmost strictness by Government officials on the use of calcium carbide, thus endangering human life, Akhand has stated in his petition.