The results of samples, tested in labs, indicated the presence of coliform bacteria
Often, carrots are consumed without further processing. Their microbial content may represent a risk factor for the consumer's health and it may lead to gastrointestinal disease. (Photo: AFP/File)
Chennai: Carrot is one of the vegetables considered healthy to eat raw even by children. But food safety officials said carrots sold in the city markets were found to be containing coliform bacteria.
According to sources, random samples of carrots were collected from various markets in the city for testing for quality. The results of samples, tested in labs, indicated the presence of coliform bacteria, sources said.
Often, carrots are consumed without further processing. Their microbial content may represent a risk factor for the consumer’s health and it may lead to gastrointestinal disease, the official warned.
A recent research article, published by students of the Mannar gudi-based Sengamala Thayaar Educational Trust Women’s College in the Inter national Journal of Integrative Sciences, Innovation and Technology, also revealed the presence of coliform and heavy metals in fresh vegetables like beetroot, carrot, potato and tomato.
“Our study concluded that raw sewage water directly applied to agricultural fields without prior treatment, containing pathogens and heavy metals, may cause accumulation of toxic metals on surface and sub-surface soils and crops. These pathogens and heavy metals are not only harmful to plants and animals but also to consumers of the harvested crops,” it said.
Fresh vegetables normally carry natural non-pathogenic epiphytic microorganisms, but during growth, harvest, transportation and further handling, the produce can be contaminated with pathogens from animal and human sources, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University vice-chancellor, Dr K. Ramasamy, told Deccan Chronicle.
“Even if water used for cleaning the carrots is unclean, it will lead to coliform bacterial formation. Often, one can see vendors splashing water on vegetables to make it look fresh. We do not know how clean the water is,” he explained. He advised people to clean the vegetables, particularly carrots, in running water or mineral water, and peel the skin before eating. “It is always better to eat steamed vegetables,” he said.
On an average, Koyambedu wholesale vegetable market gets about 150 tonnes of carrot from Kodaikanal, Ooty and Karnataka to meet the city’s needs, said Mr V.R. Soundararajan, advisor to the Koyambedu vegetable market association. He said carrots plucked from the ground were washed in water to remove the mud attached to them. The carrots cultivated in the state were washed in running water while those brought from Karnataka were cleaned in lake water, which might be contaminated, he conceded.
( Source : dc )
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