May 30, 2013

Govt wants checks for pesticides in food

NEW DELHI: A Central government panel has recommended stringent checks for pesticides in fruits and vegetables, including imported ones.
Submitting a report before a bench comprising Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath on Wednesday, the panel — led by a health ministry official — is for intensive monitoring of pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables sold in Delhi. The experts committee, chaired by Sandhya Kulshrestha, was set up by the government at HC's behest to suggest ways to remove presence of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables.
"No fruit or vegetable consignment should be allowed to enter into the country without a pre-dispatch pesticide testing report by the exporter. Samples of imported fruits and vegetables should be drawn at international arrival points and monitored for pesticide residues. For this, guidelines may be drafted on a priority basis," the panel said.
It added that the state government can establish a cell to handle issues related to pesticide residues on food articles. HC will now consider the suggestions.

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