Health Minister A K Walia said government is in the process of strengthening vigilance though there has been a decline in use of harmful chemicals for ripening of fruits in Delhi after coming into force of Food and Safety Standard Act.
"We need to make our fruits 100 per cent safe," he said.
The city government implemented the stringent Food and Safety Standard Act last year which provides for maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh to those found guilty of adulteration of food items.
Walia said traders are increasingly using a chemical called ethylene, which is not harmful for health, for ripening of fruits.
"There has been a decline in use of calcium carbide, considered hazardous, for ripening of fruits," he claimed adding traders are ripening 80 per cent of bananas and 25 per cent of mangoes being consumed in Delhi by using ethylene.
Walia was speaking after holding a meeting on ripening of fruits by using chemicals. (more)
