The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Amid the controversy, the authorities on Saturday said that watermelons are safe for consumption.

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Commissioner, J&K Drug & Food Control Organisation, Shagufta Jalal, as per the news agency KNO said that they had taken samples from all the districts of the Kashmir valley after apprehensions were raised about the sale of watermelons.

She said that the test results that came today have shown that watermelons are safe for consumption.

"Nothing adverse has come in the test reports and we appeal to the people not to pay heed to rumours," Jalal said, adding that watermelon is not a seasonal fruit.

About action against those who have spread the rumours, Jalal said the matter has been taken up with the higher-ups.

SRINAGAR — The Kashmir Valley has witnessed a 50% decrease in watermelon sales following concerns raised on social media regarding the safety of consuming artificially ripened watermelons.

Dr Wajahat, a clinical oncologist at a premier hospital, recently cautioned against consuming artificially ripened watermelons during the off-season, citing potential cancer risks.

"This Ramzan, say NO to artificially ripened watermelons. Protect yourself from harmful chemicals and potential chemotherapy," Dr Wajahat posted on a social media site X on March 8, which garnered support from several other doctors.

Ghulam Nabi Bhat, a vendor, expressed concern over economic losses incurred since the beginning of Ramadan. He said that despite bringing watermelons to the market, nobody is buying them due to claims made by doctors. Bhat urged the government to investigate the matter to help vendors like him avoid further economic losses.

Bashir Ahmad Bashir, chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, while speaking with the news agency KNO, said there has been a 50% drop in watermelon sales in the valley due to the current situation. "Previously, the valley used to receive 12 trucks of watermelons daily, but now there has been a 50% decrease in sales,” he said.

Bashir said the Food Safety Department has taken samples of watermelons, and he hopes for clarity soon. “Health is a priority, but economic losses are also concerning. The government should share the test samples as soon as possible,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety in Kashmir, Shagufta Jalal, said the department has collected hundreds of samples from various districts of the valley for testing. “The test reports will be available tomorrow,” she said.

Once the report is available, it will be shared with the public to address any concerns, Shagufta said, adding that there have been no adverse findings so far in the surveillance sampling.

SRINAGAR — The Food Safety Department of Kashmir on Thursday rebuked the claims as baseless about the premature ripening of watermelons with the use of chemicals and assured that the department remains committed to maintaining stringent food safety standards.

Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety Department, Shugufta Jalal, while exclusively speaking with the news agency KNS said that the experts, who specialise in food technology, have conducted rigorous tests across the region and that the claims of premature ripening are baseless.

She said that the tests include both surveillance and in-depth analysis using advanced equipment, and the results have confirmed that the watermelons are safe for consumption.

She said that the watermelons are grown throughout the year in various parts of India due to the country’s diverse climatic conditions which makes the fruit available in all seasons, contrary to the claims that it is not a seasonal fruit.

Shagufta said that the department has been proactive with teams deployed and mobile testing vans stationed in key areas across Kashmir to conduct on-the-spot testing. She criticized the oncologist for not consulting with the authorities before making public statements as such remarks have caused undue distress among the population.

“The department remains committed to maintaining stringent food safety standards and preventing misinformation from causing panic. We continue to monitor the situation closely and are dedicated to communicating transparently with the public to uphold trust and ensure the health and safety of all consumers,” she said.

The controversy erupted after a social media post by a doctor went viral, suggesting that watermelons available in the market were artificially ripened using chemicals.

The claim raised alarm among consumers, as watermelons are a staple fruit during Ramadan, often consumed during Iftar.

PULWAMA — A social media storm ignited by a tweet from Dr Wajahat (MD), warning against the consumption of artificially ripened watermelons during Ramadan, has led to widespread confusion and financial strain for watermelon vendors in Kashmir.

The controversy began when Dr Wajahat's tweet gained traction, urging consumers to boycott watermelons purportedly artificially ripened with chemicals. The tweet resonated with many netizens, sparking fear and scepticism among residents ahead of the Ramadan.

However, a subsequent investigation by The Kashmir Pulse news portal revealed conflicting perspectives. Speaking to local vendors and traders, they vehemently denied the existence of injected watermelons, dismissing Dr Wajahat's claims as misinformation.

"We have been selling watermelons for years, and there's no truth to these allegations. Our livelihoods are at stake because of baseless rumours spread on social media," expressed one vendor, echoing the sentiments of many in the community.

Seeking clarity, reporters from The Kashmir Pulse approached doctors at District Hospital Pulwama for expert opinion. However, they declined to comment, citing a lack of scientific evidence to support the notion of artificially ripened watermelons.

In response to mounting concerns, the J&K Food and Drugs Department stepped in, collecting samples of watermelons for testing to ascertain the veracity of the claims. The results of these tests are awaited and are anticipated to shed light on the ongoing controversy.

Amidst the uncertainty, vendors expressed frustration over the financial impact of the controversy. "Our sales have plummeted since these allegations surfaced. We urge the public to rely on real-life facts rather than succumbing to the influence of social media warriors," pleaded another vendor.

The polarizing nature of the issue has left consumers torn between caution and scepticism, highlighting the power and pitfalls of social media discourse in shaping public opinion.

As the investigation unfolds, residents of Kashmir remain vigilant, awaiting conclusive evidence to put to rest the swirling rumours surrounding the safety of watermelon consumption during Ramadan.

SRINAGAR — In the ensuing month of Ramadhan, Kashmir is consuming at least 100 trucks of watermelon per day at the cost of Rs 5 crore.

Talking to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Bashir Ahmad Bashir, President of Fruit and Vegetable Association Kashmir said that a week ago, they were receiving a supply of 50 to 60 trucks of watermelon from various states of India but the demand went up and has exceeded 100 trucks as of now.

“Every vehicle contains 15 to 20 tons of watermelon. In the next few weeks, we expect that number of vehicles will reach 200-250,” he said. “Product is coming from Madya Pradesh and Gujarat. The produce is yet to come from Punjab and other states.”

The rates are coming down with each passing day, he said. “People associated with watermelon trade and business are earning handsome amount this year owing to the fact that temperatures have remained dry and hot,” he said, adding that it has been observed that people love to break fast with watermelon that gives them a cooling effect.

He said that this is for the first time that in this season, such a huge number of vehicles laden with watermelon are arriving in Kashmir while as each vehicle with watermelon load costs Rs 4-5 lakh. “Consuming 100 trucks of watermelon a day fetches the businessmen Rs 5 crore,” Bashir said.

The watermelon is being sold at higher rates against the Rs 30 per kg fixed price by the Food and Supplies Department.

“We have issued the rate list to the suppliers and sellers. Checking squads are in the field to check the hoarding and whosoever is found involved selling watermelon at higher rates is being fined,” said Dr Abdul Salaam Mir, Director of Food and Supplies Department Kashmir.