Calcium Carbide is a chemical compound that reacts with moisture to release something called acetylene, and this has a very similar effect to ethylene. The government's arm that regulates food safety in India is absolutely okay with artificially ripening fruits just before the sale. There isn't anything illegal about it, but recently it warned fruit handlers and other folks who run food businesses against using banned chemicals as they are unethical.
In today’s episode for 21st March 2023, we discuss calcium carbide as a commercial yet unethical fruit ripener and why fruit traders and vendors love it so much.