NAFDAC warns against use of Calcium Carbide for ripening fruits, proffers safer methods

By Chioma Obinagwam

There are grave dangers in the use of Calcium Carbide as an artificial ripening agents for fruits.

Patrick Leonard Omokpariola, who is the Director Chemical Evaluation and Research in the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) disclosed to Confiance News on Wednesday.

He noted that the use of Calcium Carbide is very hazardous to health and can lead to cancer.

Beyond being cancerous, Omokpariola noted that it can explosive because of the release of harmful gases, such as acetylene, which can be detrimental to health.

Ripening agents and methods for fruits can be used to accelerate or control the ripening process to ensure the fruits reach an optimal stage for consumption. Here are some commonly used healthy ripening agents and methods:

He, however, proferred healthy alternatives to Calcium Carbide, which include use of:

Ethylene gas: Ethylene is a natural plant hormone that plays a crucial role in fruit ripening. It is commonly used to promote ripening in fruits like bananas, tomatoes, and avocados. Ethylene gas can be applied in controlled environments or generated using ethylene-producing fruits (e.g., bananas) placed with unripe fruits in a closed space.

Paper bag method: This is a simple and natural method used to ripen certain fruits like avocados, apples, and pears. Place the unripe fruits in a paper bag and close it loosely. This traps the ethylene gas produced by the fruits, which speeds up the ripening process.

Banana method: As mentioned earlier, bananas are known to produce a lot of ethylene gas, which helps in ripening other fruits. To use this method, place unripe fruits (such as apples or tomatoes) together with a ripe banana in a closed container or a paper bag for faster ripening.

Temperature and humidity control: Proper temperature and humidity levels can influence the ripening process. Many fruits ripen best at room temperature with moderate humidity. However, some fruits, like citrus fruits, are best ripened at cooler temperatures.

Controlled atmosphere storage: This method involves storing fruits in a controlled atmosphere with reduced oxygen and increased carbon dioxide levels. This slows down the ripening process and can extend the shelf life of certain fruits.

Ethylene-producing sachets or strips: There are commercially available products like ethylene-producing sachets or strips that can be placed with unripe fruits to accelerate their ripening.

Confiance News gathered that it is essential to use safe and natural methods when ripening fruits to ensure the final product is healthy and safe for consumption. Avoid using harmful chemicals or practices that may compromise the quality and safety of the fruits. Additionally, it’s always best to follow specific guidelines and recommendations for each fruit type to achieve the desired results.