Seven fall sick after eating ‘adulterated’ fruits in Narsingdi

At least seven people were hospitalised after eating chemically treated fruits in Narsingdi last week, according to a source at the Narsingdi Sadar Hospital.      Local markets in the district are swarming with fruits such as mangoes, bananas, pineapples and jackfruits – all ripened with toxic chemicals and mixed with artificial colour to look fresh, posing potential health risks.    Sources said, there is an ordinance called Bangladesh Pure Food Ordinance 2005 that prohibits the use of any toxic chemicals or ingredients in food that may have negative health effects.    Despite that, a section of dishonest traders are mixing chemicals like calcium carbide, ethephon and oxytocin in fruits and vegetables.    The authorities concerned are aware of these activities but refuse to take action due to the lack of “jurisdiction”, manpower and formalin-checking equipment.   Sales of chemically treated fruits are rampant at the Narsingdi bus station, Narsingdi Railway station, Madhabdi bazaar, Bhelanagar bus station, launch terminal, Itakhola, Shibpur, Hatirdia, Chalakchar, Monohardi, Belabo, Morzal, Baroichya, Karimpur Narayanpur bazaar and several other places in the six upazilas of the district.   A fruit seller at Narsingdi Old Town Market, wishing anonymity, said he mixed calcium carbide with mangoes so that they do not “perish easily”.    According to a source in Narsingdi Sadar Hospital, at least seven people have fallen sick after eating chemical-mixed mangoes between June 28 and July 6, amid concerns that the number of people contacting foodborne illnesses would increase.    Local people said several complaints were lodged with the deputy commissioner against fruits of questionable quality, but with little effect.    However, the DC office countered the allegation saying no complaints in this regard came their way, and that “they are not the responsible authority” for this.    Ludfar Rahman, the health inspector at the Civil Surgeon Office, said, “We could not conduct any drive to inspect formalin status in fruits as we do not have necessary equipment to do so.”    Anawar Hossain, vice president of Narsingdi Fruits Traders Association, said fruits are ripened with calcium carbide to prevent them from rotting easily.    “These fruits look fresh but may leave a sour taste in your mouth,” he added.