Hyderabad: Gala and Granny Smith apples from the United States, the import of which has been banned by a few countries including Malaysia fearing that they may be tainted with listeriosis bacteria, are openly being sold in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam markets.

While other countries have taken note of the issue, so far no advisory has been issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

Several grocery stores, especially the big chains, have separate stands selling these apples. A single Granny Smith costs `50 and Gala `40 and the stores’ managements say that 60 per cent of the stock is sold.

“The bacteria ‘Listeria Monocytogenes’ cannot form inside the apple when processed or frozen. But if it is damaged or has a cut, there are high chances of the bacteria entering the fruit. However, in India, no such case has been reported yet. These bacteria can cause simple infections like fever or vomiting or can become serious if they reach the bloodstream. Pregnant women are more vulnerable.

“Though refrigerators slow down the growth of bacteria, they increase in room temperature,” said a senior scientist from NIN.

“Many products banned in other countries are, however, accepted in India after rectification. Many a times, banned brands are concealed in other products and imported,” added an expert. However customers who buy these apples are not aware of their origin and the problems.

“We do buy green apples occasionally. They taste good and have rich nutritious values. I am not much aware of the chemicals used on these apples and the consequences. If there is any problem with these fruits, the government should stop importing in the interest of public health,” said Sujatha at a supermarket near Siddartha Nagar, Vijayawada.

A shopkeeper on condition of anonymity said that green apples were not the choice of everyone. “Very few choose them and we sell less than 10 baskets a month,” he said.

In Vizag, of the two varieties, Gala was found to be sold in two major supermarkets — More Supermarket in Siripuram and Spencer’s Hypermarket in Resapuvanipalem.

While Shekhar, the store manager of More, said that he was unaware of the possibility of bacteria in Gala, Thota Krishna, chief manager (operations), Spencer’s said, “I have been following the news about Gala and Granny Smith being banned in Malaysia and Thailand. But according to a few studies, it has been found that due to some internal issues pertaining to export and import duties, the countries have banned these apples.”

Exercise caution in buying fruits

One should always buy seasonal and local fruits and avoid imported fruits or vegetables (apples that have a shine should be avoided as well), say experts. They say that artificial ripening agents give fruits a uniform color, examples being mangoes and bananas.

Fruits that have been ripened without a catalyst do not have uniform colour as the ripening starts from one end and ends at the other.

Usually fruits that have been artificially ripened are hard; frozen fruits should be avoided as well, say experts.

Dr G.V. Ramanjaneyulu, executive director of Centre for Sustainable Development, said, “Imported apples, bell peppers (capsicum) are wax coated to prevent immediate damage. Apart from wax coating, many fruits and vegetables are harvested when they are unripe. Unnatural ripening can cause problems like indigestion, as calcium carbide is the ripening agent, which is also a carcinogen. Citrus fruits that are uniformly ripe have been artificially ripened.”