Now, UT to check use of oxytocin injections in fruits

Ritika Jha Palial

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 8

After cracking down on those misusing calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits, the UT authorities plan to take on those using oxytocin injection for increasing the size of fruits and vegetables. On June 5, a letter was written by the Designated Officer, Chandigarh Food Safety Cell, to the fruits and vegetable market associations and the Beopar Mandal, warning them to ensure that the use of injection oxytocin be immediately stopped in the markets.

“Injection oxytocin should not be used to prematurely increase the size of the fruits and vegetables and farmers who come to your market should also be instructed not to use oxytocin injection in their produce. It is a serious offense leading to fine in lakhs and imprisonment,” read the letter.

Additional Secretary health, SK Setia, instructed UT Director Health Services, Dr VK Gagneja to immediately crackdown on offenders in the markets.

Sources said that the food safety cell had been directed to investigate the malpractice and plan the raids in the fruits and vegetable market in the coming days.

Ten days ago, the UT Administration had cracked down on the vendors in the fruit and vegetable market in Sector 26 and seized and destroyed fruits ripened using hazardous chemical calcium carbide. During the raid, 70 kg of mangoes, 68 kg of papaya and 50 kgs od calcium carbide were destroyed.

What is oxytocin? 

It is a chemical used to increase size and weight of the fruits and vegetables. 

Effects on humans after consumption

It can harm eyes, lungs and other body parts  when consumed indirectly through fruits and vegetables in large quantities.