Live Chat: Top 7 Doctors Answer Your Fruit Adulteration Questions With Facts, Not Fear

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.

• Dr. Seema Dhir, Unit Head and Senior Consultant- Internal Medicine, Artemis Hospitals
• Dr. Chirag Tandon, Director – Internal Medicine, ShardaCare - Healthcity
• Dr. Parmeet Kaur, former Chief Dietitian, Department of Dietetics, AIIMS, New Delhi
• Dr. Eileen Canday, Head of Nutrition and Dietetics at Sir. HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai.
• Dr. Vikram Kalra, Principal Director - Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, Aakash Healthcare Multi-Speciality Hospital, Dwarka
• Dr. Aman Kumar, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospitals Ghaziabad
• Dr. Vikramjeet Singh, Senior Director (Unit -I), Internal Medicine, Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka

What is the actual health risk of eating chemically ripened fruits occasionally? What is the worst that can happen?

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.

Are fruits clean enough to eat raw? How to wash them the right way?

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.

Does refrigeration reduce or worsen the quality of chemically ripened fruits?

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.

I have stopped buying watermelon and mangoes because I’m worried about chemicals - am I overreacting, or do the risks actually outweigh the benefits?

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.

Are shiny, perfectly coloured fruits more likely to be chemically treated?

“Naturally ripened fruits will exhibit minor flaws, uneven coloration, and textural variations. Chemically ripened fruit can appear attractive on the outside, but be hard or less flavourful on the inside. But just by looking you can't tell if it is adulterated or not, as many natural grown fruits can look appealing. Consider other factors like seasonality, aroma, texture, and source reliability, in addition to appearance,” said Dr. Vikramjeet.

I often rely on street-side cut fruits during work hours to meet my daily fruit intake. Is that risky?

“Poor hygiene, contamination, and protracted exposure to dust and heat can result in health risks when consuming cut fruits in the streets, especially when having no choice but to buy them. This increases the chances of infections or food poisoning. It is safer to buy cut fruits at home or in hygienic stores to avoid health risks,” said Dr. Tandon.

Which summer fruits, in your opinion, are the most difficult to adulterate or can be called the safest (as well as beneficial)?

All-season fruits like bananas and coconut are safer choices due to natural protective coverings, lower adulteration risk and high nutrition. “These fruits contain natural protective covers and are more difficult to adulterate. They are also more nutritionally balanced and rich in hydration, making them an excellent choice in summer when both nutrition and hydration are important,” said Dr. Tandon. “In markets where they follow the rules, it is less common to find chemicals in fruits, and the bigger problem with cut fruits is actually the bad germs like Salmonella and E. Coli that can grow on them when they are left at room temperature,” said Dr. Canday.

Is it safer to buy seasonal local fruits instead of imported or off-season produce?

“Yes, it’s safer to buy seasonal local fruits instead of imported or off-season produce, which requires cold chain preservation, wax coatings, fungicides, and controlled storage,” said Dr. Aman. “Ripening fruit in its natural season allows it to develop to a better flavour and nutritional value. Off-season and imported produce is frequently transported, waxed, refrigerated, and treated with fungicides to extend shelf life. Many of the methods are regulated; however, local seasonal fruits typically have less handling and fewer preservation processes,” added Dr. Vikramjeet.

How Much Fruit Should Be Consumed Daily for a Healthy Diet?

Dr. Parmeet Kaur opines that adults need 2 to 3 servings of fruits daily, and you can combine them with vegetables, proteins, and whole grains for balanced nutrition. “Fruits are very important for you to stay healthy because they are rich in minerals and fibre. By eating a variety of fruits, you get different nutrients. But don’t overdo it, particularly with fruit juices, which are full of natural sugars,” she said.

Does fruit consumption have any effect on your kidneys?

According to Dr. Vikram Kalra, always go for safer hydrating options. “Certain fruits, especially those high in potassium or natural sugars, can pose risks for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), those on dialysis, or patients with diabetes-related kidney issues. One of the key concerns is potassium. Fruits like bananas, mangoes, muskmelon, and oranges are high in potassium and should be consumed in limited quantities,” he said.