With summer fruits flooding markets, many people are worried about chemical ripening, pesticide residues, and food contamination. From mangoes and watermelons to pre-cut fruits sold on streets, concerns around food safety are growing rapidly. However, doctors say avoiding fruits completely may do more harm than good.
The top doctors of the country, in a chat with Times Now Health, have advised consumers to focus on proper washing, buying seasonal produce from trusted vendors, and choosing safer fruits with natural protective peels. Experts also warn that unhygienic handling and poorly stored cut fruits may increase the risk of infections and food poisoning, especially during hot summer months.
Here are answers to your burning questions regarding fruit adulteration that we got from experts across leading hospitals. Here is what they said.
According to Dr. Chirag Tandon, while occasional consumption of chemically ripened fruits may not seriously harm healthy people, repeated exposure can trigger stomach irritation, food poisoning, and long-term toxicity. “Excessive exposure can lead to stomach irritation, food poisoning, or chronic toxicity. In rare instances, severe contamination can cause serious illness, with children, the elderly, or those with weak immunity being the most susceptible,” he said. “Long-term exposure may cause oxidative stress and metabolic imbalance in susceptible populations, including pregnant women, children, and those with hormone disorders,” added Dr. Vikram Jeet Singh.
Dr. Eileen Canday warns that banned calcium carbide used in fruit ripening may contain arsenic and phosphorus, causing stomach illness, inflammation, organ damage, and potentially increasing long-term diabetes risk with repeated exposure. “The common adulterant used in India is calcium carbide, which is banned under FSSAI regulations. This calcium carbide has some stuff in it, like arsenic and phosphorus, which can get into the fruit,” she said.
Dr. Seema Dhir says that unwashed fruits may carry pesticides, bacteria, and dirt, increasing infection risk. Proper washing helps remove harmful contaminants before consumption. “If you don’t wash them first and eat them, your chances of getting infections may increase. Always rinse fruits under running water before eating them, even if you intend to peel them. For firmer fruits, gently rub the surface with your hands or a soft brush. Dry with a clean cloth and tissue. Extensive washing may help reduce harmful residues and make fruits safer for raw consumption”.
According to Dr. Parmeet Kaur, there are guidelines by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India which say that fruits are not completely safe to eat without proper washing, even if they appear fresh and clean. “FSSAI recommends washing hands before handling fruits, rinsing them thoroughly under running water, gently rubbing surfaces, using brushes for hard-skinned fruits, and drying with a clean cloth or tissue. Extra care is advised for grapes, berries, and vulnerable individuals like the elderly or immunocompromised,” she said.
Refrigeration generally slows spoilage and helps preserve freshness, but chemically ripened fruits may still lose taste, texture, and nutritional quality. “It often worsens the quality of chemically ripened fruits because they were forced to ripen unevenly,” said Dr. Aman Kumar.
According to both Dr. Tandon and Dr. Vikramjeet, avoiding fruits like Watermelon and Mango completely is unnecessary. “Completely avoiding fruits, such as watermelon and mango, may be an overreaction. These fruits are healthy and beneficial.”
Dr. Canday suggests buying fruits from trusted sellers. “If you stop eating them, you will miss out on a lot of good nutrients. A better way to do it is to buy fruits from people you trust, look for signs that they are ripe naturally, like the smell of earth in mangoes or the yellow spot on the bottom of watermelons, and wash them well before cutting. Avoid watermelons that have injection marks on the skin and choose ones that have brown spots on the outside,” she said.
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