Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addresses concerns regarding the use of non-permitted fruit ripening agents, synthetic coatings, calcium carbide, and Formalin in food products. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed States and Union Territories to intensify inspections and enforcement drives. The document provides details of actions taken and directives issued to ensure compliance with food safety standards. Enforcement sample data from fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25 is included.
Key Points / Main Content:
Fruit Ripening and Coatings:
* FSSAI monitors the use of non-permitted fruit ripening agents and synthetic coatings through surveillance, inspections, and random sampling.
* The use of carbide gas for artificial ripening is prohibited under Sub Regulation 2.3.5 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.
* Fresh fruits and vegetables must be free from rotting and coatings of waxes, mineral oil, and colors, except for permitted waxes (bees wax, carnauba wax, or shellac wax) under specific conditions and labeling as per Regulation 2.4.5(44).
* FSSAI has requested Commissioners of Food Safety in States/UTs and Regional Directors of FSSAI to intensify inspections in fruit markets and enforce strict regulatory actions against violations.
Formalin in Fish:
* The Department of Fisheries has advised FSSAI to form joint task forces with States/UTs agencies to conduct regular inspections of fish and fishery products for Formalin content.
* Testing should be conducted using ICAR-CIFT test kits or other standard methods.
* FSSAI has requested Commissioners of Food Safety in States/UTs and Regional Directors of FSSAI to conduct a nationwide drive on fish and fish products to check compliance with standards, including Formalin adulteration.
Enforcement Data:
* Annexure I details enforcement samples of fresh fruits, including artificial ripening, analyzed, found non-conforming, and penal action taken during the last 2 years (FY 2023-24 and 2024-25).
* Annexure II details enforcement samples of fish and fish products, including Formalin, analyzed, found non-conforming, and penal action taken during the last 2 years (FY 2023-24 and 2024-25).
Impact Analysis:
States and Union Territories:
* Impact: Required to intensify inspections and enforcement drives to curb the illegal use of non-permitted fruit ripening agents, synthetic coatings, and Formalin in food products.
* Action Required: Conduct regular surveillance, regulatory inspections, and random sampling of food products. Form joint task forces with relevant agencies to inspect fish and fishery products. Enforce strict regulatory actions against offenders.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):
* Impact: Responsible for monitoring and coordinating efforts to ensure compliance with food safety standards across the country.
* Action Required: Continue regular surveillance, inspections, and sampling. Provide guidance and support to States/UTs. Collaborate with the Department of Fisheries.
Food Vendors and Retailers:
* Impact: Subject to inspections and potential penalties for using prohibited substances or violating food safety standards.
* Action Required: Ensure compliance with regulations regarding fruit ripening, coatings, and preservation methods. Avoid the use of calcium carbide and Formalin. Accurately label products as required.
Consumers:
* Impact: Affected by the safety and quality of fruits and fish products available in the market.
* Action Required: Be aware of potential risks associated with artificially ripened fruits and Formalin-treated fish. Report any suspected violations to relevant authorities.
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying:
* Impact: Plays a crucial role in addressing the issue of Formalin use in fish and fishery products.
* Action Required: Continue advising FSSAI and collaborating with States/UTs agencies. Promote the use of ICAR-CIFT test kits or other standard methods for detecting Formalin.
Key Entities Referenced
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India: Statutory body responsible for ensuring the safety and standards of food in India.
States and Union Territories: Administrative divisions within India, responsible for implementing food safety regulations.
calcium carbide: Chemical compound, also known as masala, used illegally for artificial ripening of fruits.
Formalin: A solution of formaldehyde in water, illegally used to preserve fish and extend its shelf life.
Food Safety and Standards Prohibition and Restrictions On Sales Regulations, 2011: Regulations that prohibit the use of carbide gas for ripening fruits and specify standards for the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: Government department responsible for fisheries and advising FSSAI on tackling the use of formalin in fish.
ICAR-CIFT Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi: Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, located in Kochi, Kerala, which developed test kits for detecting formalin in fish.
SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV: Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 2225
TOBE ANSWERED ON1STAUGUST, 2025
USE OFNON-PERMITTED FRUITRIPENING AGENT AND SYNTHETIC COATING
2225.SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:
Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has directed all
States and Union Territories to intensify inspection and carry out targeted enforcement drives
to curb the illegal use of non permitted fruit ripening agents and synthetic coatings and if so,
the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether it is also a fact that the use of calcium carbide, commonly referred to as masala for
artificial ripening has been increased across the country and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is also true that use of Formalin to preserve fish and extend its shelf life poses
serious health risks, including potential carcinogenicity and the same is being widely used
across the country and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the FSSAI has directed all the States and Union Territories to conduct frequent
raids in fish markets and if so, the details thereof along with the number of such cases detected
during the last two years, year-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE INTHE MINISTRYOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAOJADHAV)
(a) & (b): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) through regular surveillance
drives, regulatoryinspectionsandrandom sampling of variousfood productsmonitorsamongother
things use of non-permitted fruit ripening agents and synthetic coatings. These drives are
conducted by the officials of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/ UTs and Regional
offices of FSSAI.
Further, Sub Regulation 2.3.5 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and
Restrictions On Sales) Regulations, 2011 Prohibits use of carbide gas in ripening of fruits whichstates that “No person shall sell or offer or expose for sale or have in his premises for the
purpose of sale under any description, fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of
acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas. Sub regulation 2.3.6 of Food Safety and
Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions On Sales) Regulations, 2011 provides for Sale of Fresh
Fruits and Vegetables which states that “The Fresh Fruits and Vegetables shall be free from
rotting andfree from coating of waxes, mineraloil andcolours. Provided thatfresh fruits maybe
coated with bees wax (white and yellow) or carnauba wax or shellac wax at level not exceeding
GoodManufacturingPracticesunderproperlabeldeclarationasprovidedinRegulation2.4.5(44)
of FoodSafetyandStandards (PackagingandLabelling)regulations, 2011.”
FSSAI requested all Commissioners of Food Safety of States/UTs and Regional
Directors of FSSAI to intensify inspections and maintain strict vigilance over fruit
markets/mandis within their respective jurisdictions. In the event of any violations, strict
regulatoryactionsare enforcedagainst theoffendersinaccordancewith theprovisions ofthe Act.
Details of Enforcement Samples of Fresh Fruits Including Artificial Ripening analysed, found
non-conformingandpenalaction takenduring last 2yearsare annexedat Annexure-I.
(c) & (d): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying has informed that to tackle the issue of using formalin in fish and fishery products
intended for human consumption, the Department of Fisheries has advised the FSSAI to have
joint task forces with the relevant States/UTs agencies and conduct regular inspections and test
the fish and fishery products for formalin content using the ICAR-CIFT (Central Institute of
Fisheries Technology, Kochi) test kits namely, ‘CIFTst Kit’ or other standards methods.
FSSAI requested all Commissioners of Food Safety of States/UTs and Regional
Directors of FSSAI to conduct a nationwide drive on ‘Fish and fish products’ to check
compliance with the standards specified under Food Safety and Standards Regulations including
adulteration with Formalin within their respective jurisdictions. Details of Enforcement Samples
andpenalactiontaken during last 2yearsare annexedat Annexure II.
********Annexure I
Reportof Enforcement Samples
FRESHFRUITS INCLUDINGARTIFICIALRIPENING
F.Y. No. of Samples No. of non-conforming No. of Cases Launched
Analysed Samples
2023-24 726 76 25
2024-25 531 48 63Annexure II
Reportof EnforcementSamples
FISHAND FISHPRODUCTS INCLUDING FORMALIN
F.Y. No. of No. of non- No. of Cases Launched
SamplesAnalysed conformingSamples
2023-24 219 58 28
2024-25 126 9 56