DINAKARAN NEWS

Small quantity of pesticides found in honey samples Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/small-quantity-pesticides-685787.html

Several brands of honey sold in the market contain traces of pesticides, Indian scientists have found. 

After analysing 150 samples of honey purchased from the markets of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, they found 12% of them (18 samples) contain pesticides in small quantities.

A bulk (about 72%) of the contaminated samples contained organophosphates followed by organochlorines, including fipronil and synthetic pyretheroids.

The frequently detected pesticides were monocrotophos (four samples) followed by dichlorvos (three). Chlorpyrifos, profenofos, ethion and lindane were found in two samples each.

Although the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India hasn't fixed a "maximum residue limit" for pesticides in honey yet and the amount detected is in trace quantities, the scientists said it was still a matter of health concern because nobody knew the cumulative effect of these pesticides, if consumed for a long time.

"Considering the possible accumulative effects of substances with similar mode of action and customary (traditional and cultural) feeding of honey to the infants, old and ill people in India, precautionary measures should always be taken in the foreseeable future to safeguard consumers health," the researchers reported in the latest issue of the journal Current Science.

How did the pesticides find their way to the honey? The researchers said the widespread and indiscriminate use of pesticides over the years contaminate blossoms from which honey bees collect nectar for honey production.Bees on their foraging expeditions also pickup and transfer pollutants from contaminated water and soil to their respective hives. This may result in the transfer of pesticide residues to honey and finally to consumers.

Scientists from CSK HP Agricultural University, Palampur and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, didn't disclose the brand names.In their report, they said the samples comprised branded honey (certified and uncertified) sold in retail markets and unbranded, processed honey sold by traders, self-help groups, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Agricultural Universities), co-operative societies and road side vendors.

Out of the 150 samples, only 59 had certification.For laboratory tests, they employed QuEChERS— a solid phase extraction method commonly used for detection of pesticide residues in food besides chromatography studies.In the process, they established a standard protocol for testing and validating more honey samples.

The new report comes five years after New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment showed presence of low level of antibiotics in 11 common brands of honey – out of 12 – picked up from the market.

Food safety teams inspect rly stations

Chandigarh, August 5

Food safety teams conducted an inspection at several railway stations in the state in the wee hours of Sunday to check the supply of substandard khoya and paneer from neighbouring states.

Commissioner, Food Safety, KS Pannu said it was reported that substandard perishables were flooding local markets through inbound trains arriving early in the morning.

Meetings were held with the railway authorities. Special teams were sent to prominent railway stations. Samples have been collected and forwarded to the State Laboratory at Kharar.

At places where no perishables were off-loaded on Sunday, the railway authorities were requested to inform the food safety teams before releasing milk products so that samples could be taken for a quality test. The authorities have agreed to share information regarding the arrival of perishables.

Pannu said special nakas were also set up to check the entry of milk and milk products by road from neighbouring areas.

The statewide inspection of milk establishments continued for the second day. As many as 150 samples have been collected and sent for testing. The samples have been collected from large dairy establishments as well as milk vendors.

Samples of desi ghee, paneer and khoya have also been taken and sent for checking. Substandard milk and cream infested with insects were also detected during the raids and destroyed on the spot.