Fake mango, also called artificially ripened mango, refers to ripening real mangoes using harmful chemicals like calcium carbide or ethephon instead of natural methods. As per experts, every year hundreds of kilograms of mangoes are artificially ripened and sent to the market to meet the demand before the season begins. As per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), it is important for buyers to pay attention to the look, feel, smell, and quality of mangoes before buying and avoid purchasing chemically ripened mangoes. Take a look at the most common chemicals used for ripening mangoes.
Also Read: 8 ways to identify artificially treated ones
As per experts, the most commonly used ripening agent is calcium carbide. It contains impurities like arsenic and phosphorus, making it extremely harmful. It can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even long-term health issues like cancer. Another chemical that is commonly used is ethylene gas. It is a natural ripening hormone used in a controlled manner. Its overuse or impure form can pose a serious threat to the human body. Ethephon is a chloroethylphosphonic acid that is used for ripening mangoes and is commonly used to release ethylene and can be toxic in high dose and lead to liver or kidney damage. Market players also use acetylene gas released from calcium carbide, and it is highly explosive and harmful when inhaled or ingested in residual form.
One can follow any of these 8 ways to identify fake mangoes.
Check the skin color: Artificially ripened mangoes tend to have a uniform color and may appear more yellow or orange than naturally ripened mangoes. They may also have a slightly shiny appearance.
Smell the mango: Naturally ripened mangoes have a sweet, fruity smell, while artificially ripened mangoes may have a chemical or a different odour.
Check the firmness: Artificially ripened mangoes may feel softer or mushier than naturally ripened mangoes. It happens because the chemicals used in the ripening process can break down the cell walls in the fruit, making them softer.
Look for external damage: If the mangoes have external damage, such as bruises or spots, due to the injection of chemicals, avoid them. Natural mangoes are less likely to have these types of external blemishes.
Conduct a taste test: As per experts, artificially ripened mangoes may have a bland or strange taste. If the mango tastes off or has an unpleasant aftertaste, it may have been artificially ripened.
Soaking method: Put the mangoes in a bucket of water. If the mangoes sink, they are naturally ripened. If they float, they are harvested artificially.
Use baking soda: Add some baking soda to the water, and then soak the mangoes in the mixture for 15-20 minutes. After soaking, once you wash the mangoes, and if the color of the mango changes, there are chances that they are chemically treated or polished.
Match stick test: As per the Alphonso Mango website, one can use this test as well. All you need to do is light a match stick and bring it near the box of mangoes, and if it is chemically treated, it may catch fire or leave sparkle traces on the food's surface. This method is very risky; hence, one should avoid trying it at home without taking any preventive measures or in the absence of adults and guardians at home.
Side effects of eating chemical-ripened mango
Chemical-ripened mangoes, especially those ripened artificially using chemicals like calcium carbide, can pose serious health risks. It can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. And it is also said to cause neurological disorders like headache, dizziness, confusion, and even mood swings. For those with respiratory issues and asthma or allergies, it can irritate the respiratory tract. Contact with adulterated mangoes may lead to rashes, itching, or allergic flare-ups in sensitive individuals. Also, long-term exposure to certain ripening agents like arsenic and phosphorus (impurities in calcium carbide) may increase the risk of serious conditions, including cancer. It is also found that chemical residues found in artificially ripened mangoes can interfere with endocrine functions, leading to hormonal imbalances over time.
Thumb and Embed Images Courtesy: istock
Also Read: 8 ways to identify artificially treated ones
As per experts, the most commonly used ripening agent is calcium carbide. It contains impurities like arsenic and phosphorus, making it extremely harmful. It can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even long-term health issues like cancer. Another chemical that is commonly used is ethylene gas. It is a natural ripening hormone used in a controlled manner. Its overuse or impure form can pose a serious threat to the human body. Ethephon is a chloroethylphosphonic acid that is used for ripening mangoes and is commonly used to release ethylene and can be toxic in high dose and lead to liver or kidney damage. Market players also use acetylene gas released from calcium carbide, and it is highly explosive and harmful when inhaled or ingested in residual form.
One can follow any of these 8 ways to identify fake mangoes.
Check the skin color: Artificially ripened mangoes tend to have a uniform color and may appear more yellow or orange than naturally ripened mangoes. They may also have a slightly shiny appearance.
Smell the mango: Naturally ripened mangoes have a sweet, fruity smell, while artificially ripened mangoes may have a chemical or a different odour.
Check the firmness: Artificially ripened mangoes may feel softer or mushier than naturally ripened mangoes. It happens because the chemicals used in the ripening process can break down the cell walls in the fruit, making them softer.
Look for external damage: If the mangoes have external damage, such as bruises or spots, due to the injection of chemicals, avoid them. Natural mangoes are less likely to have these types of external blemishes.
Conduct a taste test: As per experts, artificially ripened mangoes may have a bland or strange taste. If the mango tastes off or has an unpleasant aftertaste, it may have been artificially ripened.
Soaking method: Put the mangoes in a bucket of water. If the mangoes sink, they are naturally ripened. If they float, they are harvested artificially.
Use baking soda: Add some baking soda to the water, and then soak the mangoes in the mixture for 15-20 minutes. After soaking, once you wash the mangoes, and if the color of the mango changes, there are chances that they are chemically treated or polished.
Match stick test: As per the Alphonso Mango website, one can use this test as well. All you need to do is light a match stick and bring it near the box of mangoes, and if it is chemically treated, it may catch fire or leave sparkle traces on the food's surface. This method is very risky; hence, one should avoid trying it at home without taking any preventive measures or in the absence of adults and guardians at home.
Side effects of eating chemical-ripened mango
Chemical-ripened mangoes, especially those ripened artificially using chemicals like calcium carbide, can pose serious health risks. It can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. And it is also said to cause neurological disorders like headache, dizziness, confusion, and even mood swings. For those with respiratory issues and asthma or allergies, it can irritate the respiratory tract. Contact with adulterated mangoes may lead to rashes, itching, or allergic flare-ups in sensitive individuals. Also, long-term exposure to certain ripening agents like arsenic and phosphorus (impurities in calcium carbide) may increase the risk of serious conditions, including cancer. It is also found that chemical residues found in artificially ripened mangoes can interfere with endocrine functions, leading to hormonal imbalances over time.
Thumb and Embed Images Courtesy: istock
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