Oct 24, 2019
70% of tainted veggies had banned pesticides
Ahmedabad: You rinse your veggies before cooking — rather than soaking them in lukewarm water — to quickly rid them of pesticides. You may have to sacrifice speed to protect your health. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) tested 1,739 vegetable samples from Gujarat and found that 251 had pesticide residues.
Of the tainted samples, 176 — almost 70% — had residues of ‘non-approved’ or banned toxic pesticides. In 51 samples, the FSSAI found pesticides exceeding permissible limits. The report, ‘Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National level’, was released on October 19.
Three national-level laboratories in Gujarat participated in the study. They were the labs of Anand Agricultural University; National Dairy Development Board, Anand; and Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad. Vegetable samples were collected from towns and cities including Ahmedabad, Dabhoi, Rajkot, Khambhat, Padra, Ankleshwar, Anand, Vadodara, and Kadi. Vegetables collected for sampling were brinjal, okra, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, green chilli, capsicum, cucumber, green peas, and bitter gourd.
The samples were collected from farms, organic farms, and APMC wholesale markets. The samples were collected between April, 2017, and March, 2018. Interestingly, Anand Agricultural University detected pesticide in a vegetable sample taken from an organic farm in Anand. Seventeen ‘non-approved’ pesticide residues were found in the vegetables.
Across the country, the FSSAI collected 23,660 samples for analysis. Pesticide residues were detected in 4,510 (19.1%). Residues in 523 (2.2 %) samples exceeded FSSAI limits.
Kerala to follow protocol to cap toxin in milk
In view of the findings, the state has decided to follow a standard protocol in cattle feed supplements and antibiotics
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of cancer-causing toxin Aflatoxin M1(AFM1) being detected in milk samples from Kerala, the state Food Safety Commissionerate has got into damage control mode. In view of the findings, the state has decided to follow a standard protocol in cattle feed supplements and antibiotics.
The findings at the recently released National Milk Safety and Quality Survey 2018 by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has also put the state’s dairy farmers in dismay.
Out of the 187 samples collected from the state, 37 were tested positive for AFM1 residues. The state has the third highest level of toxin after Tamil Nadu and Delhi. As per the survey, the problem is seen more in processed milk than in raw milk.
“Aflatoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain kinds of fungi. They can contaminate food crops and pose a serious health threat to humans and livestock. There are several types of aflatoxin. It is in areas where the poorest quality grain is used for animal feed that aflatoxin thrives,” said an officer of the Food Safety Department.
According to him, studies have shown that AFM1 is the most significant toxin in milk and dairy products and what makes it a public health concern is that it is stable even at high temperatures and cannot be removed from milk by the heating processes.
Issues due to the presence of aflatoxin and non-compliance for antibiotics is a serious matter. It was discussed during the meeting of the State Level Advisory Committee for Food Safety headed by the chief secretary last Saturday, said Food Safety Commissioner Rathan Kelkar. “A decision was taken to direct the Animal Husbandry Department to follow a standard protocol in cattle feed supplements and providing antibiotics to dairy cows,” he said.
According to Kelkar, the presence of aflatoxin is mainly due to cattle feed. Also, the non-compliance for antibiotics might be due to the unscientific approach being followed by the dairy farmers. “Suppose a dairy cow has some ailment, and the farmer gives it medicines. Soon, he also starts milking the cow. The resultant antibiotic residues reach humans via milk and milk products. Thus we want the Animal Husbandry Department to act,” he added.
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