{
  "id": 12644782,
  "title": "6 In 10 Mumbai Households Wary Of Artificially Ripened Fruits, LocalCircles Survey Finds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/6-in-10-mumbai-households-wary-of-artificially-ripened-fruits",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-07T14:29:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/6-in-10-mumbai-households-wary-of-artificially-ripened-fruits-localcircles-survey-finds"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nearly six out of ten Mumbai households (59%) harbor doubts about their primary fruit and vegetable supplier selling produce unaltered by artificial ripening agents or colors, according to a LocalCircles survey conducted among more than 7,300 households in the city. Only 21% expressed trust in their supplier, while 20% remained uncertain. The revelation follows the seizure of 1,394 kg of chemically ripened bananas from the Turbhe APMC fruit market in Navi Mumbai by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA). LocalCircles, a citizen-focused community platform, leverages polls to bring attention to consumer issues for policy and enforcement actions.\n\nThe survey revealed that 75% of Mumbai households primarily purchase their fruits and vegetables from local vendors or neighborhood stores, while 24% rely on organized retail outlets or online platforms, and just 1% purchase directly from farmers. Despite the concerns over produce safety, a majority of consumers (73%) indicated they would pay a premium for fruits and vegetables confirmed to be naturally ripened and devoid of added colors. Specifically, 42% were willing to pay 10-25% more, and another 21% stated they would switch to such a supplier if prices remained unchanged.\n\nMoreover, there is a strong demand for tighter regulation. A significant majority (77%) called for mandatory ethically ripened produce in organized retail stores and online platforms, while 20% advocated for extending these requirements to all sellers. The survey's findings will be presented to the Maharashtra FDA and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to bolster fruit market surveillance, ripening facilities, and storage points. The FSSAI has also directed states to intensify inspections of fruit markets, mandis, ripening chambers, godowns, and storage facilities.\n\nIn April, the FSSAI issued an advisory urging states to test for acetylene gas and penalize the use of calcium carbide, a prohibited substance for fruit ripening. Calcium carbide, often called \"masala,\" is alleged to be used by traders at APMC Vashi to expedite the ripening of bananas, mangoes, and other fruits. While the FSSAI permits ethylene gas up to 100 ppm in controlled ripening chambers, direct contact with ethylene or ethephon through dipping or spraying is strictly prohibited. In response to regulatory violations, the FDA has intensified its crackdown on adulterated and unsafe food. In the period between June and September, the department conducted over 12,000 inspections and seized food worth Rs 77 crore, including milk and dairy products, paneer, sweets, artificially ripened fruits, and prohibited items.",
  "summary": "Mumbai, October 7, 2026: Nearly six in 10 Mumbai households (59%) do not trust their primary fruit and vegetable supplier to sell produce free from artificial ripeners or colours, according to a LocalCircles survey of more than 7,300 household consumers in the city. Only 21% said they trusted their supplier, while 20% were unsure. The findings come days after the Maharashtra Food and Drug…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}