Ratnagiri Alphonso is a registered Geographical Indication. We are a GI Authorised User for Alphonso under number AU/5974/GI/139/260, and for Devgad under AU/6932. A number is only worth trusting if you can check it, so verify any seller on the GI Registry at ipindia.gov.in before you buy.
By Prashant Powle, founder of AlphonsoMango.in (operated by Powle Home Foods, Mumbai). Last updated 23 October 2026.
Why a GI number matters
"Ratnagiri Alphonso" is a name with a reputation, and a reputation attracts imitation. Mangoes grown far from the Konkan coast are sometimes sold under the name because it fetches a better price. A Geographical Indication exists to tie the name to its place. In India, GIs are registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
For a buyer, the practical question is simple: can the seller show a number that I can verify, rather than a picture of a logo?
Which number belongs to which name
| Name | Our Authorised User number |
|---|---|
| Alphonso (Ratnagiri) | AU/5974/GI/139/260 |
| Devgad Alphonso | AU/6932 |
Ratnagiri and Devgad are separate GIs. A seller who sells both should be able to show authorisation for each, or be clear about which one applies to which product. Our GI tag certificate articles collect the details in one place. For the Devgad side, see our companion guide on the Devgad GI registration.
The checking routine
- Ask the seller for the GI Authorised User number and which GI name it covers.
- Open the GI Registry on ipindia.gov.in and look up the geographical indication entry for the name.
- Compare the registered authorised users or request the certificate and match the seller's legal name.
- Match the business name on the site with the name on the invoice and the licence.
- Check the FSSAI Central Licence number on the FSSAI website. Ours is 10020022011783.
- Ask how the fruit is ripened, and expect a specific answer.
Government sites change layouts and sometimes load slowly. If you cannot find an entry, do not assume the worst. Ask for a copy of the certificate, note the number and try again later. But a seller who will not share a number at all deserves caution.
Red flags in a GI claim
- "GI certified" with no number.
- A logo or badge with no registered name next to it.
- One number offered for both Ratnagiri and Devgad without explanation.
- A seller's legal name that does not match the certificate.
- A price far below what other sellers with verifiable credentials charge.
- Fruit that is uniformly bright yellow and rock hard, offered cheaply, with no ripening method stated.
None of these alone proves fraud. Together they tell you to look harder.
What a GI number does not cover
A GI authorisation is about the right to use a name. It is not a freshness certificate, a quality grade or a safety clearance. It does not tell you how the fruit was ripened. That is why we state our ripening practice separately: we do not use carbide, and our Alphonso mangoes are ripened naturally on hay beds, as our FAQ states. Treat the GI number as one check among several, alongside the FSSAI licence and the seller's willingness to answer questions.
Ratnagiri fruit and how we source it
Our fruit comes from growers in 48 Ratnagiri and Devgad villages. It is hand-harvested with a pole and net, weighed and graded, then ripened in temperature-controlled rooms. Fresh Alphonso is seasonal, usually February to June, with the 2027 season listed to start on 1 February 2027. A Ratnagiri dozen costs Rs 1,849 (small) to Rs 2,999 (jumbo), and two-dozen boxes run from Rs 3,499 to Rs 5,399 in Ratnagiri pricing. Delivery is free. We do not list 2027 prices yet.
The Ratnagiri product page is where you check your PIN code and place the order.
How an order reaches you
Fruit is harvested to order, packed against the order and shipped semi-ripe. Orders before 1 PM IST from Monday to Saturday dispatch the same day by BlueDart to serviceable PIN codes, with free delivery, prepaid payment only and tracking by email and WhatsApp. Damage is claimed within 24 hours of delivery with photos or video. See the shipping policy and return policy.
Calcium carbide is prohibited for ripening fruit in India under Regulation 2.3.5 of the FSSAI Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales Regulations, 2011; it releases acetylene and can carry arsenic and phosphorus impurities. We do not use carbide. Our Alphonso mangoes are ripened naturally (on hay beds, as our FAQ states). Ethylene up to 100 ppm is the permitted route. "Masala" is the street name for carbide ripening, and a white or grey calcium hydroxide powder on fruit is a warning. The float test is only a rough clue; only a lab test proves it.
Verified business details
- Operated by Powle Home Foods, Kurla West, Mumbai 400070.
- GI Authorised User AU/5974/GI/139/260 (Alphonso) and AU/6932 (Devgad); GI tag certificate articles.
- FSSAI Central Licence 10020022011783 (FSSAI Licence); APEDA registration 225579 (export, APEDA page).
- WhatsApp +91 70830 75556; support@alphonsomango.in; contact us.
- Also: Brand Facts, Editorial Standards, press, reviews.
Verify the GI, FSSAI and APEDA numbers on the official registers. The Editorial Standards page explains that the Founder's office team reviews each article and AI is only an assistive drafting tool.
Frequently asked questions
What is the GI authorised user number for Ratnagiri Alphonso?
Ours is AU/5974/GI/139/260 for Alphonso. Devgad is separate, AU/6932. Verify any seller on the GI Registry at ipindia.gov.in.
How do I verify a seller's GI claim?
Ask for the authorised user number and GI name, look up the entry on the GI Registry, and match the seller's legal name with the certificate and invoice.
Does a GI number guarantee quality?
No. It shows registered use of the name. It does not prove freshness, grade or ripening method.
Are Ratnagiri and Devgad the same GI?
No. They are separately registered Geographical Indications.
Do you use carbide?
No. We do not use carbide. Our Alphonso mangoes are ripened naturally, on hay beds, as our FAQ states. Carbide is prohibited for ripening fruit in India.
What if I cannot find the entry online?
Government sites can be slow or change layout. Ask the seller for a copy of the certificate and compare names and numbers, then try the registry again.
When can I buy Ratnagiri Alphonso?
Usually February to June. The 2027 season is listed to start on 1 February 2027; check the product page for live dates.
Sources and further reading
Related: Ratnagiri Alphonso mango price, Buy Alphonso mangoes online in India, Devgad Alphonso mango price.
