Mangoes, bananas, papayas under watch: FSSAI crackdown begins over illegal 'masala' use for ripening; What India’s top food regulator is warning

India’s top food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, has stepped up its game against unsafe food practices, issuing fresh directions to states to tighten checks on the illegal use of artificial fruit ripening agents. And yes, this is a big deal if you regularly buy mangoes, bananas, or papayas.

FSSAI Issues Fresh Warning on Artificial Fruit Ripening

In a recent directive dated April 16, 2026, FSSAI made it crystal clear: calcium carbide, commonly known as ‘masala’, is strictly banned for ripening fruits.

Quoting the advisory, FSSAI stated: “Use of calcium carbide (‘masala’) is prohibited… as it poses serious health risks such as difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, skin ulcers, etc.”


This latest FSSAI warning on artificial fruit ripening reinforces earlier advisories and signals stricter enforcement across states.

Why Calcium Carbide in Fruits Is Dangerous

Using calcium carbide for fruit ripening is risky business. When used on fruits like mangoes, bananas, and papayas, calcium carbide releases acetylene gas, which may contain harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus. According to FSSAI, this can lead to:

• Vomiting and nausea
• Skin irritation and ulcers
• Breathing and swallowing issues

So if your fruit looks perfect but feels suspiciously uniform, it might be worth a second thought.

FSSAI Tightens Rules on Fruit Ripening Agents

The FSSAI guidelines on fruit ripening don’t just stop at banning calcium carbide. The regulator also flagged misuse of ethephon solutions, which some traders allegedly use to speed up ripening.

FSSAI clearly states: “Direct contact of fruits with ethylene (in powder or liquid form) is strictly prohibited.”

Only controlled use of ethylene gas in safe ripening chambers is permitted under FSSAI norms.

Strict Inspections Ordered Across States

To enforce the ban on illegal fruit ripening, FSSAI has instructed:

• State food safety commissioners to intensify inspections
• Authorities to monitor mandis, storage units, and distribution hubs
• Special drives to curb use of calcium carbide and other banned agents

The advisory even mentions that finding calcium carbide on-site could lead to prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

How Authorities Will Catch Offenders

Here’s where it gets interesting, FSSAI isn’t relying on guesswork. Officials have been authorised to use strip paper tests to detect acetylene gas in storage facilities and ripening chambers. Basically, if illegal ripening is happening, it won’t stay hidden for long.

What This Means for Consumers

For everyday consumers, this FSSAI crackdown on fruit ripening is actually good news. It means:

• Safer fruits in the market
• Better monitoring of food practices
• Reduced exposure to harmful chemicals

Still, a quick tip, naturally ripened fruits often have slight imperfections. If everything looks too polished, it might not be as natural as it seems.