No pesticides detected in vegetables, fruits samples collected: Govt

The government today said no residues of banned pesticides had been detected in any sample of fruits and vegetables collected under Agriculture Ministry's programme of 'Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level'. There had been reports about use of toxic substances like calcium carbide and oxytocin for early ripening of fruits and vegetables. However, the use of ethylene gas in low concentration exogenously to trigger ripening of fruits was considered safe,Minister of State for Agriculture Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan saidin the Lok Sabha. The Commissioners of Food Safety/Food (Health) Authority of States/UTs who are responsible for implementation of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 and its Rules/Regulations in their States/UTs had been requested to keep a strict vigil on and take legal action against use of carbide gas and other hazardous chemicals for ripening of fruits, the Minister said.

State Governments had also been advised to educate the people against consumption of such artificially ripened fruits, he said in a written reply. During 2011-2014, out of 25,664 vegetable samples, 764 samples were found to contain pesticide residues above the maximum permissible residues level (MRL). Out of 7,501 fruits samples, the residues above MRL were detected in 88 samples. However, none of the banned pesticides was detected. A Grow Safe Food campaign had been initiated to carry the message of safe and judicious use of pesticides is sought to be conveyed through hoardings, banners etc in regional languages in Gram Panchayats and rural areas.