Some fanners and traders use ethylene oxide, a toxic chemical. excessively to ripen fruits and some vegetables, putting public health at great risk.

fruits ripened by excessive dose of ethylene oxide can cause various Illnesses, doctors and scientists at the Institute of food Science and Technology (IFST) of Bangladesh Council of Scientific lit Industrial Research(BCSIR) said.

They also said most fruits in the market are coated with a thick layer of insecticide and pesticide, as during their growing, maturing and marketing these chemicals are sprayed many times.

"Just by physically verifying the fruit one can see its toxicity ... the fruit looks either pale or very bright with the flavour missing," said a scientist at die IFST.

IFST scientists also said in most cases, fanners and traders, who use ethylene oxide to ripen fruits and some vegetables for quickmonuy, do not know how to scientifically use

the chemical, which all the mote increases health risks.

They also said most papayas, guavas, melons, mangoes, tomatoes, sapota, pineapple, locally-produced dates and many other fniits available in the markets are ripened by excessive doses of ethylene oxide.

"We have wanted the food ministry about the indiscriminate use of this chemical in our food chain but nothing has heen done to prevent the practice," said a scientist at the IFST on conditionofanonymity.

'When tomatoes are green they cost Tk 3 a kilogram. If the same tomato is ripened in a day the farmer can cam twice as much," said an agriculturist at Kbamarbari in the city.

Another scientist at the Public Health Laboratory (PHD under Dhaka Ci ty Corporation said they do not know how to deal with this new phenomenon as the'primitive' pure food ordinance has no mention of these newadulteratingchemicals.

Food Minister Abdullah Al Noman said the matter has just

come to his notice. He said the agriculture ministry with their network of block supervisors around the country should help sensitise the farmers and traders about the health risks.

"Since you have told me. I will also see what measures we can take to stop the practice of using ethylene oxide in our food chain," the minis-tersaid.

Agriculture Minister MK Anwar said after the media highlighted the practice, his ministry conducted a • survey which found the chemical was used to ripen fruits and some vegetables.

He said ethylene oxide is used commercially all over the world to ripen fruits but the user should know how much they should use so as not toendangerpublicsaleiy.

"We have asked Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council to look into the matter and if It was found that excessive doses are used, we will start training our block supervisors to disseminate the know-how among farmers," Anwar said.