IIT submits report to CAA on use of chemicals to ripen fruits, health impacts

A report prepared by the Institute of Industrial Technology (IIT) was submitted to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) yesterday, on the chemicals used by vendors to ripe fruits and its health impacts.

Recently, it was revealed that fraudulent vendors are using chemicals to ripen fruits within a few hours at economic centres.

Following the revelations, State Minister of Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanna called on the institutes responsible to probe on the chemicals and methodologies used to ripe fruits and its health impacts.

This is also the first time that a research was conducted to detect the potential health risks of using such chemicals on fruits.

During the meeting chaired by State Minister Alagiyawanna, he called on the authorities to submit the report to the Food Consultative Committee of the Health Ministry.

Representatives from the Agriculture Ministry, Health Ministry, Department of Agriculture, Registrar Office of Pesticides, IIT and CAA also participated at the discussion.