Mapusa, Goa: The department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday confiscated 350 kgs of artificially ripened bananas from the Mapusa Municipal market.  The value of the fruits is approximately Rs 18,000.

In a press statement issued by the department, it is been said that the officials of FDA conducted surprise surveillance drive during the early hours of the day at the Mapusa Municipal market as well as Mapusa Market yard to detect for availability of artificially ripened fruits.

“One Mapusa based fruit wholesaler Jayaram Laximan Naik was found conducting artificial ripening of bananas in the yard using ‘ethepon’ chemical liquid,” the department said adding that the entire consignment of 350 kgs has been confiscated by them.

The officials from the FDA Food Testing Laboratory conducted spot verification test of the exposure of residual chemical on the fruit for verification, which gave positive test of the usage of ethepon for artificial ripening of bananas.

The case under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is been booked against the said fruit wholesaler.

Team TNV