Vegetables with Excessive Pesticide Residues Ordered Destroyed

Kathmandu. Some vegetables brought into the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Committee have been found to have excessive pesticide residues, and have been instructed not to be consumed and to be destroyed (disposed of) immediately.

According to the results of the rapid pesticide residue analysis test conducted by the Central Agricultural Laboratory, Hariharbhawan Lalitpur's laboratory unit on Ashad 12, some vegetables brought to the market were found to be harmful to human health and unfit for consumption.

According to the laboratory's test report, bottle gourd brought from Gajuri Rural Municipality of Dhading, cauliflower brought from Thaha Municipality of Makwanpur, and potato brought from Salyan were found to have significantly higher levels of organophosphate pesticide than the safe limit.

The vegetables brought by Krishnabahadur Dhital from Dhading, cauliflower brought by Rameshwar Prasad Kanu from Makwanpur, and potato brought by Bharat Prasad Aryal from Salyan showed an inhibition rate of organophosphate of 66.51 percent, 64.54 percent, and 66.99 percent respectively, placing them on the list of vegetables to be disposed of immediately.

According to the standard, if the inhibition rate of pesticide is found to be more than 45 percent, such agricultural produce must be destroyed. Other 9 samples tested on the same day were found to be safe and suitable for consumption. Tomatoes brought from Godawari of Lalitpur, cabbage from Makwanpur, bitter gourd and eggplant from Dhading, potato from Rolpa, potato from two separate locations in Sindhupalchok, another sample of potato from Salyan, and onion imported from India had pesticide levels below the prescribed limit and were certified as fit for consumption.

According to the laboratory's rules, agricultural produce with an inhibition rate of less than 35 percent is considered fit for consumption, while an inhibition rate between 35 and 45 percent can be used after keeping it for a few days.