• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Why You Should Avoid Artificially Ripened Fruits

by Patience Ivie Ihejirika
3 years ago
in News, Health
Avoid Artificially Ripened Fruits
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Artificial ripening is the process by which ripening is controlled through the use of ripening agents. It is done to achieve faster and more uniform ripening.

Advertisement

This practice is common among fruits sellers, with the aim of making quick profit.

Sadly, many of these fruit sellers are ignorant of the health implications of artificial ripening of fruits and vegetables especially with calcium carbide.

Explaining this, the head of pharmacy, National Hospital Abuja, Pharm Jelili  Kilanli, has said that calcium carbide, which is commonly used by fruit sellers to ripen fruits is extremely hazardous to the human body as it contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus.

“Although it is banned in many countries of the world, it is still being used indiscriminately. Thus, we are at a greater risk of short-term as well as long-term health effects simply by eating fruits that are artificially ripened.

RELATED

FEC To Hold Special Session In Honour Of Ex-President Buhari Thursday

FEC To Hold Special Session In Honour Of Ex-President Buhari Thursday

2 hours ago
‘I Live In My Private Residence’, Gbajabiamila Tackles ‘Erroneous’ Reports On 2024 Budget

Buhari Backed Me When Others Tried to Undermine NASS — Gbajabiamila

2 hours ago

“Fruits are an essential component of our food. They are assumed to protect us from diseases and increase our immunity. Most of the times, we eat fruits when they get ripened.  Ripening is a natural physiological process that makes the fruit sweeter, more palatable, edible, nutritious, softer and attractive.”

Kilanli, explained that artificial ripening is the process by which ripening is controlled and product may be obtained as required by controlling different parameters. It is done to achieve faster and more uniform ripening.

Speaking further, he said generally, 80 per cent of fruits are ripened artificially through the use of ripening agents. The cosmetic quality of artificially ripened fruits will increase but organoleptic qualities (taste, colour and smell), nutrition value and shelf life are depreciated when fruits are subjected to treatment without considering maturity status.

According to him, Ethylene (ethene) is the major ripening agent produced naturally within the fruits which initiates the process of ripening. Many ripening agents are used to release ethylene in order to speed up the ripening process. Chemicals like ethanol, methanol, ethylene glycol, ethephon and calcium carbide are used to ripen fruits and vegetables artificially.

‘More raw or less mature fruits require higher CaC2 to get ripened. Carbide ripened fruitsproduce uniform skin color. Actually CaC2 only changes the skin color and the fruit remains raw inside. Carbide contains traces of arsenic and phosphorous hydride which are carcinogenic agents. Because of cheap availability of CaC2 in local markets, it is used illegally to enhance fruit ripening.

“Early symptoms of arsenic or phosphorous poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea with or without blood, burning sensation of chest and abdomen, thirst, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, irritation or burning in the eyes and skin, permanent eye damage, ulcers on skin, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath.  Higher exposure may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs.

 


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel



SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Why People Should Not Panic Over Hair Loss – Otubanjo

Next Post

Newcastle United And Manchester United In The Race To Sign Nigerian Forward

Patience Ivie Ihejirika

Patience Ivie Ihejirika

You May Like

FEC To Hold Special Session In Honour Of Ex-President Buhari Thursday
News

FEC To Hold Special Session In Honour Of Ex-President Buhari Thursday

2025/07/16
‘I Live In My Private Residence’, Gbajabiamila Tackles ‘Erroneous’ Reports On 2024 Budget
News

Buhari Backed Me When Others Tried to Undermine NASS — Gbajabiamila

2025/07/16
I’ve Lost Respected Colleague, Elder In Buhari — Jonathan
News

Obasanjo’s Son, Olujonwo Bids Ex-President Buhari Farewell

2025/07/16
Professionals Want Kwara Varsity Of Education In Igbomina
News

20 Suspected Gunrunners, Logistics Suppliers Arrested In Kwara

2025/07/16
ISWAP’s Quit Notice To Borno Community Mere Propaganda -MNJTF
News

MNJTF Troops Kill Terrorist Commander, 5 Others In Chad

2025/07/16
Customs Seizes $20,000, 110,000 CFA In Lagos
News

Customs Seizes $20,000, 110,000 CFA In Lagos

2025/07/16
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Inter Milan Agree Personal Terms With Ademola Lookman – Report

FEC To Hold Special Session In Honour Of Ex-President Buhari Thursday

Buhari Backed Me When Others Tried to Undermine NASS — Gbajabiamila

Obasanjo’s Son, Olujonwo Bids Ex-President Buhari Farewell

20 Suspected Gunrunners, Logistics Suppliers Arrested In Kwara

MNJTF Troops Kill Terrorist Commander, 5 Others In Chad

Customs Seizes $20,000, 110,000 CFA In Lagos

JAMB Registrar Decries Indiscriminate Honorary Degree Awards By Varsities

Israel Strikes Syria’s Military Headquarters In Damascus

PDP Will Not Miss Atiku, Says Gov Makinde

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.