Watermelons are a good way to keep the summer heat at bay, but did you know it could be chemically injected?
A video was posted as a social experiment which demonstrates the rampant practice. (Photo: Vani Gupta/India Today)
The summer season comes with scorching heat, sweat and humidity galore, but thank god for the gift of mangoes and melons that satiate our thirst and help replenish our lost energy. But what if we told you that the summer fruits that you are consuming could be adulterated?
Well, you know mangoes are adulterated with carbide to help them ripen faster, but were you aware that to sweeten the watermelon and give it that gorgeous red hue, artificial food colour and sweeteners are injected?
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A video posted as a part of a social experiment demonstrates the same practice, and it went crazy viral on social media. The clip posted on YouTube channel The Social Junction shows a masked man injecting chemicals into a watermelon as a part of this experiment.
Scouring through Instagram, you'll stumble upon videos revealing this shady practice of injecting chemicals to extend shelf life and ramp up sweetness. These videos also spill the beans on how to spot a pristine, chemical-free watermelon amidst the sea of adulterated ones.
Why sellers are resorting to this practice
Chemically injected watermelons have been a concern due to the potential health risks associated with consuming artificially enhanced fruits. These chemicals are often injected to speed up growth, enhance colour, or add sweetness. It can sometimes pose health risks if not checked.
Deepali Sharma, clinical nutritionist at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, says, “Sellers are increasingly opting to inject watermelons with chemicals and colours like Erythrosine-B (Red-B) to enhance the bright red hue of the pulp, increase shelf life, and improve sweetness. This practice also helps meet the high demand for watermelons during the summer season.”
India Today spoke to experts and doctors who suggested simple steps to keep in mind while purchasing this summer fruit.
How can these chemicals hamper our health?
It's not rocket science to understand that consuming adulterated watermelons can lead to severe consequences.
Delhi-based clinal dietician Kanika Malhotra says, “Calcium carbide, a common chemical used for artificial ripening fruits, produces acetylene gas that mimics the natural ripening process and can have harmful effects on health. The acetylene gas released by calcium carbide contains hazardous substances like phosphorous hydride and arsenic, which can lead to various health issues such as vomiting, weakness, skin ulcers, and neurological problems like headache and memory loss.”
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“Chemically injected watermelons can cause food poisoning and, with long-term consumption, may adversely affect liver and kidney function,” Sharma adds.
How to identify injected watermelons?
Here’s where things get a little tricky. We know what happens when we consume adulterated watermelons, but how do we identify if they have been tampered with?
Kanika Malhotra has a few suggestions:
- To identify chemically injected watermelons, consumers should be cautious of fruits that look overly vibrant or unnaturally ripe.
- A perfectly red watermelon, especially with no colour variations, might be suspect.
- If the watermelon feels soft in one spot and firm elsewhere, it could be a sign of tampering.
- Watermelons injected with chemicals might have unusual cracks on the rind.
- It is advised not to solely rely on the outer appearance of the fruit and to purchase from trusted vendors who sell organic products.
- Peeling fruits before consumption and washing them thoroughly can also help reduce the risk of consuming chemically treated watermelons.
What FSSAI says
To check if a watermelon has been adulterated with Erythrosine-B (a chemical dye), FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) recommends a simple test. They even shared a video on how to go about it:
- Cut the watermelon and slice it in half to expose the pulp.
- Dab a clean cotton ball onto the pulp of the watermelon.
- If the cotton ball turns red, it indicates the presence of erythrosine or other chemical dye, which means the watermelon is likely adulterated.
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How to shop smart
When buying watermelons, Malhotra suggests taking the following precautions to avoid chemically treated ones:
Buy from known vendors: Look for vendors who prioritise fresh produce and you have prior acquaintance with. They can tell you about their source.
Visual inspection: Choose watermelons with a natural-looking colour and consistent firmness.
The thump test: A ripe watermelon will have a deep, hollow sound when thumped gently.
Check the green spot: Look for a creamy yellow or orange spot on the underside of the watermelon. This is the "field spot" where the melon rested on the vine as it ripened. A white or absent spot might indicate premature picking.
Watermelons are a great way to keep the summer heat away but make sure it is not at the cost of your health.
Published By:
Tiasa Bhowal
Published On:
May 20, 2024
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