In today’s fast-paced world, food safety and health security should be a government’s first priority.
Most of us, however, are being fooled by farmers selling chemically treated goods (most fruits and vegetables) that they label as naturally farmed.
Bananas offer plenty of health benefits. They have every essential nutrient and, when eaten regularly, can help even prevent certain diseases.
However, these benefits are only available when you eat bananas that have ripened naturally without being gassed with artificial ripening agents.
Certified organic producers in the U.S. are not allowed to use any kind of artificial methods at all if they want to be certified organic, and the USDA Organic Rules prohibit this.
Unfortunately, some organic fruit sellers will use some chemicals to increase the amount of ethylene (the natural gas associated with ripening bananas) in the banana to artificially accelerate the ripening process.
These chemicals can be extremely harmful to the human body.
Chemicals used to ripen bananas:
- methanol
- ethanol
- ethylene glycol
- calcium carbide
- and Ethephon
How to Identify If an Organic Banana Has Been Gassed
| Properties | Organic Bananas | Organic Bananas |
|---|---|---|
| Taste | Have high quantity and composition of sugar levels | Have less quantity and composition of sugar levels |
| Smell | Isoamyl acetate is more volatile | Less isoamyl acetate levels |
| Color | Have few spots here and there | The fruit has a uniform color |
| Polyphenol levels | High | Low |
| Sucrose levels | High | Low |
Organic bananas are artificially gassed
Unlike non-organic bananas that are identified to be ripened by ethylene gas sprayed, organic bananas ripen at their own pace that is based on the natural ethylene gas that is produced, as is true with most any fruit.
However, you may be surprised to learn that some sellers of organic bananas artificially ripen, or gas, the bananas. This is inappropriate.
So how do we know if the bananas have been chemically gassed?
Appearance
Select fruits that are healthy for you rather than looking for the prettiest one.
Fruits with a ‘handsome’ uniform color, for the most part, have been artificially ripened.
Naturally ripened bananas have varied colors on the outside with a few spots here and there, unlike those harvested and chemically ripened.
To the contrary, chemically ripened fruit will have some parts of the fruit that are greener and other parts that are yellow.
This is because the ethylene gas or other chemicals do not affect all parts of the banana. This leads the fruit to ripen in an uneven manner. “All that glitters is not gold.”
Always check the stem:
- When the banana is green while the fruit is yellow, it is safe to say that the fruit has been artificially ripened.
- Naturally ripened bananas have a black/brown stem along with dark yellow skin and scattered black and brown spots.
- Artificially ripened bananas, on the other hand, appear more uniform in their lemon yellow skin and green stalk.
- The black stem on an apparently naturally ripened banana could be a sign of crown rot, a type of fungus.
The black dots on the “chemically ripened” banana look like senescent spots, a hallmark of aging or over-mature bananas.
Texture
Some parts will feel incredibly soft and other parts quite rigid on organic bananas that were artificially rippedened.
This is because parts of the banana may have come into contact with the chemicals and other parts will have not.
What Are the Ripening Agents and Harmful Effects of Consuming Gassed Bananas?
Fruit ripening chemicals, such as unsaturated hydrocarbons (ethylene and acetylene or calcium Carbide), can kickstart or accelerate the normal ripening process and change the color of the fruits.
Calcium Carbide (CaC2) is banned in some countries for this reason.
All said, the health benefits of fresh produce do depend on the process of ripening. Natural processes of ripening in fruits are considered the best method.
Calcium carbide
Calcium carbide is not a safe chemical, and is even considered a carcinogen, which is a substance that causes cancer.
It is known to cause damage to the liver and other organs with even low levels of exposure. Increased exposure may lead to the development of fluid in the lungs.
Because of the indications of phosphorus and arsenic poisoning found in this chemical, consuming artificially ripened bananas produced with calcium carbide will lead to:
- diarrhea
- weakness
- vomiting
- burning sensation in the chest and abdomen
- permanent eye damage,
- burning of skin and eyes
- difficulty swallowing
- irritation in the nose, throat, and mouth
Ethylene
Ethylene is not very harmful to humans and is unlikely to harm you at all.
Conversely, inhaling air with extremely large amounts of ethylene can cause headaches, nausea, drowsiness, weakness, feelings of dizziness, and unconsciousness.
Is it still beneficial to consume organic bananas after this information?
“Organic” has become a marketing term, especially if you live in a country that is misguided into producing an organic certification system. If that country has reasonably strict labeling laws, it can be assumed that bananas labeled “organic” are “organic” as well.
Some organic growers gas their bananas, in order to increase the citrus life, and some do not. Each banana grower has a distinct process in ripening their organic bananas.
The easiest way is to reach out to the specific banana grower you are buying or want to buy, from, and get answers directly from them.
Organic producers that sell their organic bananas at organic farmers’ markets and independent markets, are less likely to use chemicals to ripen their organic bananas.
Organic bananas may be more expensive. They are healthier to consume, likely more nutritious, and typically taste better than non-organic bananas.
Organic farming is also kinder to our environment and kinder to animals.
Furthermore, ethylene and ethephon, which are the gases usually used for gassing bananas, are “the least harmful.”
Final Thoughts
In spite of all the rules and standards in place, it is still quite difficult to discern what is organic and what may not be.
The simple answer to what makes a banana organic is if it is not gassed, but some producers do.
Additionally, organic agriculture requires the organic growing and production of plant material.
So, additional movement must be taken, not just to ban these chemicals, but also to penalize who ever in turns them to organic.