Overripe Jackfruit Makes KSRTC Drivers Fail Breath Test In Kerala; Can This Fruit Really Get You Drunk?

Would you believe us if we told you that eating just a few jackfruit bulbs could make you tipsy? That’s exactly what happened with three KSRTC drivers, who landed in a strange situation after testing positive for alcohol during their routine breathalyser test. The twist? They had only eaten a few bulbs of sweet jackfruit. Keep reading to find out how this happened.

KSRTC Drivers Test Positive After Eating Jackfruit

As per a report by The Times of India, three bus drivers of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) faced an odd situation in Pandalam. They were preparing to start their morning shift when they took the routine breathalyser test, which is mandatory. But here’s the catch: one of them tested positive for alcohol. Despite insisting that he had not even consumed a drop, the officials refused to believe him.

Reportedly, one of the KSRTC drivers from Kottarakkara had brought a freshly cut ripe jackfruit from home to share with his colleagues. One of the drivers, who had skipped breakfast, ended up eating 4-5 bulbs before starting duty. Things took an unexpected turn when he tested positive, with a reading of 10! Shocked, he even volunteered for a blood test to prove his innocence.

Also Read: 6 Benefits Of Jackfruit That You Might Not Have Known

Official Re-Test Breathalyser Machine

Two other drivers also failed the test, which left the officials puzzled. They finally decided to test the breathalyser, thinking it might be faulty. One of the men first blew into the device and received a zero reading. Then he ate some jackfruit and tested positive on his second attempt. The officials, stunned by this outcome, concluded that the jackfruit had indeed caused all the false positives.

As per a report by Onmanorama, the jackfruit in question was a ‘thenvarikka’, which is a popular Kerala variety known for its honey-like sweetness and golden-yellow flesh. These fruits are often overripe and can contain trace amounts of alcohol due to fermentation of their high glucose and fructose content. In fact, this variety is also used to make jackfruit wine, where the fruit is boiled and pulped. That’s why it can trigger false positives in breath tests. Thankfully, the effect is temporary.

Also Read: Why Is There A Giant Jackfruit Weighing 7000 kg Placed In Front Of The Iconic Victoria Memorial In Kolkata?

This situation was baffling! Imagine testing positive for alcohol, just because you had some jackfruit for breakfast!

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Quang Nguyen and KSRTC, Wikipedia/ Jvc Clickz (Representative Image)