Must-Check Factors Before Buying Mangoes

With the onset of summer, the mango season begins, bringing a wide variety of fruits such as Banganapalli, Rasalu, Suvarnarekha, Alphonso and Kesar to markets across India. Naturally ripened mangoes are highly beneficial for health. However, a significant portion of mangoes available today are artificially ripened using chemicals like calcium carbide to enhance appearance and speed up the ripening process. The use of such chemicals poses serious health risks to consumers, with experts warning that they may contribute to conditions such as cancer, infertility and PCOS.

Chemically ripened mangoes have a particularly adverse impact on women’s health. Compared to earlier years, cases of infertility have increased, while issues like obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are becoming more common among teenage girls. PCOS can lead to irregular menstrual cycles, hair fall, acne and weight gain, along with potential psychological effects. Additionally, chemicals like carbide can damage brain cells and pose serious health risks to children, pregnant women and adults. The World Health Organization has also warned about the dangers associated with such chemicals, making it crucial for consumers to identify artificially ripened fruits.

Naturally ripened mangoes typically have a pleasant sweet aroma, a uniform natural color and rich, juicy pulp. In contrast, carbide-ripened mangoes often lack fragrance, may appear uniformly yellow on the outside while remaining green inside and tend to have a flat or unnatural taste. It is important not to rely on a single indicator but to assess multiple characteristics before making a judgment. Whenever possible, purchasing mangoes directly from local farmers is advisable. If chemically ripened fruits are identified in the market, consumers should avoid buying them and report such practices to the authorities. Ultimately, making informed choices about chemical-free produce is essential to safeguarding personal and family health.