At the scene, the inter-agency inspection team drew up a record of sealing, seizing more than 2 tons of durian that had been soaked in chemicals (photo); 13 bottles of 1,000 ml type 1 Phytophthora fungus treatment medicine; 4 bottles of 500 ml high-grade leaf fertilizer labeled HPC-97HXN; some chemical cans and many yellow powder-containing paper bags.
In addition, the functional agencies also confiscated 89 kg of packaging and labels with Chinese characters.
According to initial verification, this facility has been operating from the end of July 2016 until now, and regularly buys unripe durian to soak in chemicals before being consumed.
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Frequently asked questions
The article exposes a concerning practice of soaking durian fruits in chemicals to hasten their ripening process. This raises health concerns as consuming chemically-ripened fruits can be harmful.
The durians are being soaked in a chemical solution, likely a mixture of calcium carbide and water, which produces acetylene gas. This gas accelerates the ripening process, making the durians appear ripe and ready for consumption much faster than natural ripening.
Consuming fruits ripened with chemicals can lead to serious health issues. Calcium carbide, for instance, is classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It can also cause acute health problems like headaches, dizziness, and skin rashes.
Consumers should be vigilant and aware of the signs of chemical ripening. Look for durians with an unnatural color or those that have a strong chemical smell. Also, be cautious of durians that are overly ripe or ripen too quickly. It’s always best to buy from reputable sources and support organic farming practices.
Raising awareness among consumers is crucial. Educating people about the dangers of chemically-ripened fruits and providing them with information on how to identify such practices can help create a demand for naturally ripened produce. Additionally, stricter regulations and enforcement by authorities are necessary to deter farmers from using these harmful practices.