It’s not every day that a fruit finds itself at the center of a public transport controversy. However, in Kerala, three KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) drivers faced an unusual predicament: they failed a mandatory breathalyzer test before duty, despite claiming complete sobriety. The surprising culprit? Overripe jackfruit.This bizarre incident has stirred questions across health, nutrition, and law enforcement circles—can jackfruit actually make you drunk?The Incident That Sparked It AllThe confusion began at the Pandalam depot in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district. Three KSRTC drivers tested positive for alcohol during their routine breath test. Shockingly, they swore they hadn’t consumed any alcohol. One of them, in a state of disbelief, even volunteered for a blood test to prove his innocence.Officials were initially skeptical—until a surprising experiment cleared the air. A staff member who had tested negative earlier was asked to consume the same jackfruit. Post-snack, he too registered a positive breathalyzer reading. This led the officials to conclude that the overripe jackfruit, not alcohol consumption, was behind the results.Blame It on Natural FermentationThe variety in question was ‘thenvarikka’—a jackfruit known for its honey-like sweetness. Experts explained that overripe jackfruit undergoes a natural fermentation process due to its high sugar content. The glucose and fructose in the fruit can convert to ethanol, especially when the fruit is overly ripe or improperly stored.This fermentation can result in trace levels of alcohol, enough to confuse a sensitive breathalyzer but not nearly enough to cause intoxication in humans. It’s similar to what happens with overly ripe bananas or fermented foods like kimchi and idli batter.Foods That Can Trigger False PositivesThis isn’t the first time food has clashed with technology. Breathalyzers, although useful, aren’t always foolproof. According to experts, several foods and drinks can skew test results:Overripe fruits such as bananas, mangoes, durians, and of course, jackfruit.Fermented foods including kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, and dosa/idli batter.Alcohol-based mouthwash or non-alcoholic beer.Vinegar-rich dishes or food cooked in alcohol (like rum cake).Protein bars and energy drinks with sugar alcohols.The common factor? Trace ethanol or fermentation byproducts. While these generally don’t impair your faculties, they can momentarily confuse breathalyzer sensors.Is Jackfruit Dangerous to Eat? Not at AllBefore you panic and toss your jackfruit stash, let’s get one thing clear: jackfruit is perfectly safe and nutritious. In fact, it’s rich in vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. It supports digestion, boosts immunity, and may help regulate blood pressure.The issue here lies not in the fruit itself, but in the ripeness and timing. Most people don’t eat jackfruit at the overripe, fermented stage. But when they do, especially in large amounts, and shortly before an alcohol test—there’s a slim chance of triggering a false reading.Lessons for Breathalyzer PoliciesThe KSRTC episode highlights an important need for contextual judgment in zero-tolerance systems. While breathalyzers are crucial for road safety, depending solely on them without investigating anomalies can wrongly penalize innocent individuals.Transport authorities may need to revise protocol: conduct secondary tests like blood alcohol analysis, or allow for food-history reporting before taking disciplinary actions.