Pesticide-contaminated Chinese apple in Guwahati market!

GUWAHATI, June 16: The food safety standard in Assam continues to be an area not conforming to a particular category or set of rules, thereby pushing consumers in the State towards an uncertainty. After mango, banana and other fruits being sold in the State found to be in the vulnerable zones for their artificial ripening with chemicals, now pesticide-contaminated and banned Chinese apple is making inroad into the State market, as though to cap it all.

A team of custom officials of the Guwahati Custom division has seized 350 cartons of Chinese apple weighing 6,300 kg and worth Rs 12,60,000 from ISBT in Guwahati on Saturday. The consignment was brought from Imphal by bus.

According to official sources, the amount of Custom duty to be levied against the consignment is Rs 8 lakh. So far no one has come forward to claim the seized goods. A case has been filed in this regard. The matter is under investigation.

Monetary loss apart, Chinese apple making inroad into the market in Assam is a direct threat to consumers’ health. India has suspended imports of apples, pears etc from China after repeated tests found pests in the incoming shipments.