Udupi: Health officials raid banana storage centres; cases registered over harmful chemical use

Udupi: Kundapura Assistant Commissioner Rashmi S.R. and health officials conducted surprise raids at three to four banana storage centres in Alevoor village near Udupi on Thursday and registered cases against several people for allegedly using harmful chemicals on bananas.

The raids were carried out simultaneously at warehouses operated by wholesale banana traders and storage operators in the Kestur and Duggi areas near Manipal.

During the operation, officials seized chemicals allegedly being used to treat bananas, including substances considered harmful to health and chemicals used to give the fruit an artificial colour. Equipment reportedly used to apply the chemicals was also seized.

Cases have been registered against the accused in connection with the alleged use of the chemicals. Vehicles suspected to have been used in the operation were also seized by the officials.