Dhaka: Amid the scorching heat across the country, seasonal juicy fruits have flooded the city markets bringing a great relief to thirsty consumers as food experts ruled out the existence of formalin in fruits.

Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution’s (BSTI’s) assurance over safe fruits boosted the confidence of consumers contributing to a substantial rise in fruit sale in the city.

Various types of dates added taste to the seasonal fruits basket as the holy month of Ramadan began with due solemnity.

A visit to the city’s Motijheel and Secretariat areas, Kawran Bazar and Mouchak by the UNB correspondent found the high presence of consumers at fruits outlets though the prices still remained high.

Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and BSTI recently submitted their reports after carrying out investigations on 28 and 193 sample fruits respectively declaring that there is no presence of formalin in fruits.

Some 33 oranges, 40 maltas, 68 apples, 38 grapes, three watermelons, two mangoes, one banana and five dates, among others, have been tested at the BSTI to know whether there is the existence of formalin in fruits, according to sources at the BSTI.

Apart from the imported fruits, local fruits like mango, blackberry, litchi, jackfruit, watermelon, woodapple, guava and papaya are now available at the city markets.

“There’s nothing to get panicked. We’ve tested 28 products, including fruits. We didn’t get formalin which is harmful,” Chairman of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority Mohammad Mahfuzul Haque told UNB adding that naturally fruits contain a certain level of formalin.

Kamrun Nesa, a consumer, said they have heard about formalin-free fruits this time. “But the prices seem to be high. Yet, we’re buying fruits as we have to consume at the end of the day.”

According to market information, various types of mangoes are selling sold at Tk 80 to Tk 120 per kg, while litchi Tk 250 to Tk 500 (100 pieces) depending on size and quality, guava Tk 80 to Tk 120 per kg, watermelon Tk 300 to Tk 500 per piece depending on size and pineapple per piece Tk 20 to Tk 40.

According to Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), date is selling at Tk 120 to Tk 250 per kg against Tk 80 to Tk 220 last year at the retail market.