India’s Alphonso mango is more than just a fruit; it’s an emotion. With its golden hue, intoxicating aroma, melt-in-the-mouth texture, and complex flavour profile, the Alphonso (or Hapus, as it is lovingly known in Maharashtra) holds a revered place in Indian culinary and cultural heritage. But today, this crown jewel of Indian produce is under threat. The market is awash with imposters, mangoes masquerading as Alphonso, bearing fraudulent labels of “Devgad” or “Ratnagiri,” and fetching astronomical prices while lacking the very characteristics that define this premium fruit.
As we step into another mango season in 2025, it's time to peel back the layers on this alarming trend. From GI tag loopholes to advanced authentication techniques, this blog will delve into the real story of the Alphonso mango crisis and how you, as a consumer, can protect yourself and support authentic growers.
A Geographic Identity Under Siege
The Alphonso mangoes grown in Devgad and Ratnagiri are not just better, they’re protected. These regions enjoy Geographical Indication (GI) status, which legally recognises the uniqueness of mangoes cultivated in their specific soil, climate, and traditional farming practices. Ideally, the GI tag should prevent producers from other regions from selling their mangoes as “Devgad” or “Ratnagiri” Alphonsos.
But in practice, this system is breaking down.
Mangoes from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and even imported varieties are being deceptively packaged and sold under the premium Alphonso labels. From roadside vendors to high-end marketplaces in metros like Bengaluru and Delhi, unsuspecting consumers are being duped every day. With prices soaring, 250 grams of A1 grade Alphonso mangoes are being sold at ₹3000 or more; the incentive for fraud is clear.
And this deception is not just a consumer problem. It’s an existential threat to honest farmers.
The Hidden Cost of Counterfeit Alphonsos
The infiltration of fake Alphonso mangoes into the market is causing multi-layered damage.
1. Farmers are the first victims.
Growers in Devgad and Ratnagiri, who spend years mastering grafting techniques and maintaining age-old cultivation practices, are being edged out by cheaper, mass-produced mangoes labelled as theirs. The lack of price parity is heartbreaking: while fake Alphonsos flood the cities and command high prices, the original producers often struggle to sell their harvests at fair rates.
2. Consumers are second.
They’re paying premium prices for inferior mangoes that lack the rich, saffron-gold flesh, complex sweetness, and floral aroma that Alphonso is loved for. Some of these mangoes even have traces of calcium carbide, used to artificially ripen them, posing health risks to buyers.
3. The GI system becomes the third.
When consumers can no longer trust labels that were meant to signify authenticity, the credibility of the entire GI framework comes into question.
How to Authenticate Real Alphonso Mangoes
To fight back, Devgad farmers are leading a grassroots revolution in traceability. Their secret weapon? UID-labelled tamper-proof stickers.
Each Alphonso mango is affixed with a unique identification code, backed by a digital system that traces the fruit to its exact orchard. As of this season, more than 1.55 lakh UID-labelled Alphonso mangoes have already reached the market, each one traceable to its source with a simple scan.
But this isn’t a large-scale government initiative. It’s a farmer-led defence mechanism born out of necessity. Without any centralised enforcement or national traceability mandate, these growers are trying to preserve their identity through sheer will and technology.
How to Identify Authentic Alphonso Mangoes
Let’s break down how you, as a buyer, can distinguish the real from the fake in 2025:
1. Know the Origin
Alphonso mangoes are grown in specific microclimatic zones along the Konkan coast, most notably in Ratnagiri, Devgad, Sindhudurg, and parts of Raigad. The GI (Geographical Indication) tag ensures that only mangoes grown in these designated regions can legally be sold under those names.
But since there is no mandatory digital verification system at the market level, vendors often falsely label other mangoes, especially from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, as Ratnagiri or Devgad Alphonsos. These counterfeit varieties may look similar but lack the distinct organoleptic properties of the originals. Therefore, unless you know the source or have a verified trail, geographic claims on their own are unreliable.
2. Check the Shape and Size
True Devgad Alphonsos tend to be:
Smaller in size with a tapering beak-like tip.
Bright golden-yellow in colour with a faint red blush.
Uniform in shape and often have a subtle, resin-like scent near the stem when ripe.
Ratnagiri Alphonsos, on the other hand, are:
Slightly larger, with a more rounded tip.
Less uniform in shape.
Known for their rich, honey-sweet taste with a creamy texture.
3. Skin Texture and Colour
Real Alphonso mangoes have skin that is thin and delicate, with fine wrinkles as they ripen. Overly bright yellow mangoes with a glossy, spotless surface are a red flag. These are often chemically ripened using calcium carbide or ethylene gas, which gives them a fake sheen and unnaturally uniform colour. Natural ripening leads to a slightly uneven tone, and the skin may retain greenish patches during the early stages of ripening.
4. Smell
The aroma of an authentic Alphonso mango is its most telling feature. It is rich, deep, and floral with hints of citrus, often so potent that a single ripe mango can fill a room with its fragrance.
This olfactory signature is hard to replicate. Chemically ripened mangoes often have a faint or artificial scent, or worse, no aroma at all. Always smell the mango near the stem; the authentic Alphonso will have a concentrated, sweet aroma at this spot, thanks to the accumulation of essential oils.
5. Taste and Texture
One bite and you’ll know. A genuine Alphonso mango offers a smooth, buttery texture with no fibre strands in the pulp. The taste is a complex mix of honey-like sweetness, subtle tartness, and an unmistakable richness that no other variety offers.
Fake Alphonsos tend to be more watery, often fibrous, and lack that depth of flavour. While the sweetness might be present, the overall taste is one-dimensional and less aromatic.
6. Seed Size
Authentic Alphonsos have a small, flattened seed, which leaves more room for pulp. This is a minor but telling detail. Other mango varieties passed off as Alphonso often have larger, thicker seeds and, hence, less edible fruit.
7. Ask for UID or QR-Based Verification
This is where science now steps in. More and more farmers and sellers are resorting to implementing Unique Identification tags like Acviss's non-cloneable QR code and tamper-proof hologram labels for authentication. These labels are not just stickers; they are part of a digital traceability system that records the orchard location, harvest date, and authenticity records.
You can verify this QR code on the sticker using:
A smartphone camera
A linked mobile app
Direct entry on the official websites provided by farmer cooperatives or traceability partners
If the mango lacks this UID sticker during peak season (especially in urban premium markets), there's a strong chance it isn’t what it claims to be.
8. Buy from Verified Sellers
Always purchase Alphonso mangoes from sellers who display the GI tag information, offer digital verification methods, or are directly tied to Ratnagiri or Devgad farmer cooperatives. Avoid middlemen and e-commerce listings with vague origins or non-traceable claims.
A seller’s transparency in explaining the mango’s origin, ripening process, and authentication methods often separates genuine sellers from counterfeiters.
9. Packaging
Authentic Alphonso mangoes are increasingly being shipped in eco-friendly, branded cartons with proper ventilation. These boxes are often marked with:
Mangoes sold in generic cardboard boxes or plastic crates without this level of detail are more likely to be misrepresented.
Why the Government Needs to Step In
Despite its success, the UID sticker movement is still limited in scope. Without government backing, it can’t scale. That’s why systemic intervention is now vital.
1. Digital Traceability
Every GI-tagged agricultural product should have digital traceability mandated. If consumers can trace their mangoes as easily as they track online parcels, fraud becomes far harder to execute.
2. Centralised National Verification Platforms
This allows buyers to instantly authenticate a product using mobile apps, WhatsApp-based bots, or SMS services. If private exporters like Reliance Industries can guarantee product authenticity for international buyers, there’s no excuse for not offering the same assurance in Indian markets.
3. Stringent Enforcement
Enforcement must become proactive. Regulatory authorities need to conduct origin audits, enforce proper labelling, and fine retailers or marketplaces that sell unauthenticated produce under protected names.
What’s at Stake is Bigger Than Mangoes
Alphonso mangoes are not just fruit; they are cultural and economic symbols. If we fail to protect something as iconic as the Devgad or Ratnagiri Alphonso, we risk eroding the entire GI ecosystem that safeguards India's rich biodiversity and traditional practices.
From Darjeeling tea to Kanchipuram silk, from Kolhapuri chappals to Basmati rice, many of India’s unique products are already battling fakes. Alphonso mangoes are simply the canary in the coal mine.
Consumers play a pivotal role in this ecosystem. By demanding authentication, refusing to buy unverified mangoes, and supporting traceability efforts, you become part of a movement that values transparency over trickery.
Don’t Just Buy a Mango, Buy the Truth
The next time you’re offered a box of “Devgad Alphonso” mangoes, don’t just smell them, scan them. Ask the seller: Where is this from? Can I verify it? Is there a UID?
Consumers play a pivotal role in this ecosystem. Demanding authentication and refusing to buy unverified mangoes, and supporting traceability efforts, you become part of a movement that values transparency over trickery.
At Acviss, we believe authenticity should never be a question. Our technology empowers producers and consumers to verify the origin of every product, right from the orchard to the outlet. Join us in safeguarding India’s iconic Alphonso mangoes.
