Bengaluru, 29 May

Summer days call for cool, refreshing treats, and watermelons often top the list. But this year, a shadow hangs over this summertime favourite. An investigation by Salar News revealed the widespread use of chemicals to grow and ripen watermelons, posing significant health risks to consumers.

As the reporter visited a fruit godown to inspect the watermelons, she inhaled thick chemical fumes, immediately resulting in sneezing, coughing and difficulty breathing. The stench of the chemicals was so strong that workers were forced to wear face masks.

Alarmingly, the investigation found that eight out of 10 fruit stalls contained a mix of chemically treated and organically grown watermelons, with both vendors and consumers often unaware of its presence. Growers inject the fruit with dye to give it a dark red colour.

Chemical cocktail
The chemicals used to grow watermelons are Forchlorfenuron, Erythrosine and Calcium Carbide. Forchlorfenuron, a growth regulator, helps the fruit grow in one-and-a-half-months instead of naturally growing in three months.

Erythrosine is a pink dye used to enhance colour and Calcium Carbide, a fast-acting ripening agent that is applied on top of the fruit. Experts warn that Forchlorfenuron and Calcium Carbide together can cause serious health problems, including cancer, thyroid issues, and liver and kidney damage.

A gastroenterologist at Dayanand Sagar Hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted the long-term dangers. "These chemicals can lead to minor issues such as dizziness and fatigue, but also serious health problems that take years to develop," the doctor told Salar News.

A 2021 study titled ‘The Use of Calcium Carbide in Fruit Ripening: Health Risks and Arsenic Index as a Quantitative Marker for Calcium Carbide Residue by University of Lagos’ found that the heavy exposure to Calcium Carbide poses carcinogenic risk to different organs including liver, kidney, lung, and intestine and it might weaken the immune system.

City-based nutritionist Deepika Vasudevan warned that the chemicals can strip the fruit of essential nutrients and leave behind toxic residues, disrupting human metabolism. "Chemical residues can increase potential of chronic diseases and accelerate ageing," she said.

However, even with the health risks, these chemicals are not illegal in India. Their easy availability and affordability at fertiliser shops are concerning. Forchlorfenuron costs a mere Rs 30 per kg, and Calcium Carbide Rs 56 per kg.

A State Food Safety and Standards official told Salar News that they are investigating the complaints about the watermelons and will soon release a report.

Vendors caught in the middle

Sriram Sakthivel, a parent who bought a watermelon, told Salar News that he realised it was not organically grown after his 1-year-old child ate it. "The red dye was so persistent that it was hard to wash off our hands even with soap," he said.

The situation puts vendors in the crossfire. While facing customer complaints about the chemically treated fruit, they struggle to inspect each watermelon due to bulk purchases and limited profit margins. "We can't travel to the wholesale market to inspect every load. We barely make Rs 250 a day," said a street vendor in Basavanagudi.

Watermelons are priced between Rs 18 and Rs 25, with weights ranging from 3 kg to 5 kg.

Another vendor from KR Market told Salar News, "We order about 200 kg of watermelon from Nelamangala daily. Customers have complained about colour changes after cutting the fruit, but we can't check each watermelon as we buy in bulk. Most of the time, customers check and buy only the organic ones, leaving the chemically treated ones unsold, making it difficult for us to sell them."

How to choose a ripe and safe watermelon:

1. Inspect the surface: Look for smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid watermelons with injection marks. Instead, opt for melons with web-like brown sugar spots on the rind, which are a natural sign of ripeness.

2. Colour check: Do not opt for dark green watermelon as it suggests higher risk of adulteration. Naturally grown fruits have yellow patches on the watermelon.

3. Beware of dust: Excessive dust on a pile of watermelons could be a sign of Calcium Carbide ripening.

4. Checking pre-cut watermelon: If buying pre-cut watermelon, inspect the flesh for a vibrant red colour. You can gently rub a tissue or cotton ball on the cut surface. If the tissue turns red, it could indicate artificial colouring. Opt for a different pre-cut melon if you suspect this.

5. Reporting concerns: If you suspect food safety violations, you can report them to the toll-free FSSAI helpline number 1800 11 2100 or email kumaresan.ch@fssai.go.