Over 10,000 kg of chemically-ripened bananas seized in Udupi

A load of chemically-ripened bananas that was seized during a raid in Udupi taluk on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Three separate teams of Udupi district administration raided eight places in Udupi taluk on Thursday and seized 10,890 kg of chemically-ripened bananas. Bunches of chemically-ripened bananas that were seized during a raid in Udupi taluk on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT According to officials, the raids were carried out following complaints by people about the alleged use of chemicals to ripen bananas. On specific information, three separate teams were formed.One team was led by Kundapura Assistant Commissioner S.R. Rashmi, while the other two teams were led by Udupi District Food Safety Officer Vivek Tirumala and Udupi Tahsildar Gururaj, respectively.The raids were conducted simultaneously at eight places in Alevoor, Kemturu and Duglipadavu in Udupi taluk. The personnel seized 10,890 kg of bananas worth ₹8.71 lakh, and the sample of chemicals were sent for testing.The owners of the eight units were booked under the Food Safety Act.Two cases under Section 274 (adulteration of food or drink intended for sale) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita were registered at the Udupi Town Police Station, and one case was registered at the Manipal Police Station. Published - August 20, 2026 08:17 pm IST