Kerala, July 23, 2025: In a bizarre incident that has sparked curiosity and debate, a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus driver reportedly failed a routine breathalyzer test after consuming jackfruit. The incident, which occurred in [district name], has gone viral on social media, raising a puzzling question: Can eating jackfruit cause a person to fail an alcohol test?
The Incident
According to reports, the driver, whose name has not been disclosed, was preparing for duty when he was asked to take a breathalyzer test — a standard protocol to ensure the safety of passengers. To everyone’s surprise, the test indicated the presence of alcohol. The driver denied consuming any alcoholic beverage and claimed he had only eaten ripe jackfruit shortly before the test.
KSRTC authorities have temporarily suspended the driver pending further investigation, although he insists that he was sober and blames the jackfruit.
Does Jackfruit Contain Alcohol?
Scientifically speaking, ripe jackfruit does contain trace amounts of natural sugars that can ferment, especially if the fruit is overripe or stored improperly. This fermentation can produce small quantities of ethanol — the same type of alcohol found in beverages.
Dr. Anil Mathew, a food scientist based in Kochi, explained:
“If jackfruit is very ripe or has started to ferment naturally, it can produce ethanol. However, the levels are typically too low to cause intoxication or trigger a positive result in a breathalyzer test — unless consumed in very large quantities or if the fruit is fermenting.”
What Experts Say
Alcohol detection devices like breathalyzers are sensitive and can sometimes register false positives due to various factors including fermented foods, mouthwash, or certain medical conditions.
Food safety expert Dr. Rajitha Krishnan stated:
“While it’s rare, there have been instances where fermented fruits have caused mild false positives. It’s important to corroborate such results with a blood test to confirm actual intoxication.”
KSRTC’s Response
A KSRTC official confirmed that a secondary test will be conducted to validate the initial breathalyzer result.
“We take such matters seriously as public safety is our priority. However, we also understand the possibility of natural food-based interference in the breath test.”
Final Word
This unusual case has sparked public interest and debate across Kerala and beyond. While jackfruit is a beloved tropical fruit with numerous health benefits, this incident highlights the importance of understanding how natural fermentation can sometimes interfere with alcohol detection tests.
Conclusion:
So, does jackfruit contain alcohol? Yes, but only in tiny, naturally occurring amounts — especially when overripe. It’s highly unlikely to cause actual intoxication or consistently fail a breath test, but rare exceptions like this case can’t be entirely ruled out.
Stay tuned for updates as KSRTC completes its investigation.