Health Alert in Bihar: Chemically Treated Bananas Sold During Navratri May Pose Risks

During the Navratri festival, street vendors in Bihar have been offering bananas that are cooked with chemical additives to enhance colour and shelf‑life. Health officials have raised concerns that such practices can introduce harmful residues, potentially leading to digestive problems and other health issues for consumers. The state health department has issued an advisory urging people to purchase bananas only from trusted sources and to avoid those that appear unusually bright or are sold in sealed plastic wraps. Consumers are also advised to wash the fruit thoroughly and, if possible, to prefer raw or traditionally prepared bananas over chemically treated ones. The warning comes as part of broader efforts to ensure food safety during the high‑traffic festive period.