Ripened fruits.[Photo/india.com]

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Ministry of Health on Tuesday warned against the unscrupulous ways of fastening ripening of fruits by food processing firms in Kenya.

Kepha Ombacho, the director of public health noted that some firms fasten the ripening of fruits such as mangoes and bananas artificially through the use of calcium carbide which risks human health.

“As you are aware calcium carbide causes serious health hazards including cancer amongst illness to consumers of the fruits and workers who are in direct contact during application,” said Dr.Ombacho in public statement released on Tuesday.

Ombacho urged the food and nutrition firms to stop the use of artificial ripening immediately and ensure proper practice of inspecting, examining and controlling the harvesting, ripening and marketing of fruits to protect safety of consumers.

He termed the practices to be against food, drugs and chemical substance acts chapter 254.