July 19, 2021
Pexels
Durian season has left most Singaporeans in a frenzy and some people are even willing to risk their lives for the king of fruits.
Recently, a video circulating on social media warns consumers of artificially ripened durians from Malaysia.
The video caption goes on to claim that some durian dealers use an ethylene-producing yellow paint on their fruits, while others use calcium carbide, an industrial chemical.
If you re unfamiliar with these substances, ethylene is a naturally occurring ripening agent and calcium carbide is a ripener that is illegal in a number of countries due to the occupational safety risks it poses to workers who have direct contact with the chemical.