Despite the Food Safety Authority’s strict vigil on retail markets to check artificial ripening of fruits, pesticide-ridden mangoes are growing in the market. The issue of mangoes being artificially ripened using Calcium Carbide and ethereal chemicals swelled up further when the European Union banned the import of the king of fruits from India.
However, determined to put an end to such unhealthy lifestyle practices and to inch towards nature, a pair of young brothers from the national capital have initiated Vegley, a start-up that claims to sell 100 per cent carbide-free mangoes.
Shivam S Garg, who is studying Electrical Engineering from MAIT, Delhi and his brother Shivank, studying Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kanpur launched Vegley, following extensive research.
Speaking how they came up with this idea, Shivam says, “My father had suffered a Kidney failure, and doctors said that it was mostly due to chemical-induced food. This led us to this start-up.”
The Delhi-based organisation, situated in NCR, was initiated in April 2015 and has grown manifold since then. In the opening season itself, the organisation has garnered over 2,500 customers.
“We are based in Delhi near Azadpur Mandi, from where we source the mangoes. We had invested `11-12 lakh in the pilot project. At Vegley, we ripen mangoes in Controlled Atmosphere Chambers, in which we deploy optimum temperature, humidity and composition of different gases such as CO2 and Ethylene, which is the natural substitute for Carbide, and is also suitable for human consumption.”
Shivank, the other founder, says the secret lies in natural ripening. “We trigger the ripening process by spraying Ethylene in the chamber. This process takes 48 hours.”
Another technique which makes Vegley standout is the Ozone Disinfection Technology, exceptionally powerful in killing bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pathogens from fruits.
“We process the mangoes in Ozone generators, which have a capacity of five metric tonnes. This effectively removes pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals, making the mangoes fit for human consumption.”
While the use of Calcium Carbide has been banned in most countries, producers continue to use the hazardous substance to artificially ripen fruit–including mangoes.
“Traces of dangerous chemicals including Phosphorus and Arsenic have also been found in Calcium Carbide. In addition, this same substance, which is used to ripen citrus fruits, is used in gas welding. According to experts, consuming fruit ripened using Calcium Carbide can cause skin related problems, cancer, kidney diseases and nervous disorder,” he adds.
On being asked how can one possibly identify pesticide-infused mangoes in a market that is filled with adulterated food, Shivam is quick to respond, “We can identify them from the taste and the texture. Naturally ripened mangoes are juicy with a spotless texture whereas artificial mangoes have black spots on their skin.”
However, the duo claim that owing to lack of support, they are unable to pitch their innovative technique to any government representative. But they really would like to get the attention of the government on this so that it can be taken forward.
carbide catch
Carbide is skillfully packed into small sachets and scattered into the piles of mangoes at the market, ready to be exported to various destinations
Generally, the mangoes are induced with plant-growth-regulator hormones to ripen them
The fruits take only 48 hours to ripen through this procedure, but are harmful for human consumption
vegley way
The fruit is ripened in chambers, which maintains optimum temperature, humidity and composition of different gases such as CO2 and ethylene.
The fruit is allowed to ripen by spraying Ethylene, which is suitable for human consumption whereas in the market, they use chemicals like Calcium Carbide
The final stage of purification is Ozone Disinfection Technology as part of which, Ozone is utilised to cleanse the fruits