Reza Mahmud :A section of dishonest traders bring green mangoes from Satkhira, Kushtia and Chuadanga districts and mix those with carbide to artificially ripen those for quick sale in the market and thereby defraud the consumers.The wholesalers, however, cannot bring mangoes from Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Natore districts — the hub of the country’s mangoes –as the district administrations and police have keep watch on the mango gardens and their transports. The mango producers and traders have been warned not to sell green mangoes before those become ripe naturally during June, sources said. “Though the mangoes are green in the trees, there are plenty of so-called ripe mangoes in the whole of Dhaka city. How it is possible?” Asked a knowledgeable man. The naturally ripen mangoes will not be available in the markets before June.Some dishonest businessmen bring green mangoes from Shatkhira, Kushtia and Chuadanga. The producers of those districts produce mangoes on commercial basis. They get those ripen using harmful chemicals.Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Sheikh Maruf Hasan Sardar told The New Nation, “Police always help the food department and BSTI to detect and destroy harmful chemical mixed fruits.”A senior BSTI official told The New Nation preferring anonymity, “Some unscrupulous traders use carbide for ripening immature mangoes and other seasonal fruits. “Green mangoes sell at Tk 30 to 50 per kilogram, where as the artificially ripen mangoes sell at Tk 80 to Tk 100 in the fruits market. Mobile courts and law enforcers save the people from the harmful chemicals mixed fruits by destroying those as and wherever found.
