Empowering Import Regulation through Consumer Education: An Example of Mango Fruit Ripening and Calcium Carbide

Fruit ripening has fostered the growth of a large-scale global industry in agricultural products. As a result of ripening techniques, fruits can be harvested while green, to be eventually sold with the appearance of full maturity in countries far from their point of origin. Given the size of the import market for fruits and vegetables in the United States, nearly fifty percent of all fruits and vegetables are imported. Arguably, consumers are highly dependent on the actions of regulatory authorities to ensure the food safety of imports. This paper will explore the use of calcium carbide in fruit ripening, specifically addressing the application of the chemical in the ripening of mangoes. After providing an overview of fruit and mango imports to the U.S., the paper will evaluate the known risks to human health from calcium carbide ripening. Following will be a discussion of current domestic regulatory protections specific to calcium carbide. The paper concludes with an evaluation of emerging risks and opportunities, promoting consumer education as a regulatory policing and risk mitigation strategy