New generation pesticide residues in vegetables

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The recent laboratory report revealing the presence of new generation pesticide residues in vegetable samples collected from check posts have blown away the plan of state government to ensure safe and pesticide-free vegetables this Onam.

As many 110 samples were collected from the check posts since the government direction, of which results of 13 items came out from the residue laboratory of Agriculture University here.

Commissioner of Food Safety T. V. Anupama said that four items were contaminated and had pesticide content beyond permissible levels.

“But unfortunately, we won’t be able to initiate action as the permissible limits of new generation pesticides are yet to be fixed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). We have been facing this issue since this drive was launched. More than 70 per cent of the pesticides detected are new generation. We have written to FSSAI to take necessary action. FSSAI is already aware of the issue and there is a scientific panel to fix the levels. We hope FSSAI would come out with the standards soon,” said Anupama.

Food safety officials have diverted their focus more on adulteration in milk, dairy products and coconut oil flowing to the state via check posts.

Anupama said that till date, around 116 statutory samples were collected. “Our laboratories are inactive as internal auditing is going on for NABL accreditation. The auditing at Ernakulam laboratory would be completed in a day and we would be able to start sample screening,” she added.

Anupama said that getting NABL accreditation is being given top priority by us. “Our employees have sacrificed their holidays to save time to finish the auditing,” she added.