Thiruvananthapuram: Home department has extended full support to Operation Ruchi, the initiative launched by the health department to restrict usage of chemicals and harmful tastemakers in food items.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, who inaugurated the state-wide launch of Operation Ruchi at a function here on Monday, said the police authorities would extend full cooperation to ensure safe food to citizens.
Mr Chennithala said every food item including vegetables cultivated in the state and brought from other states should be scrutinised in laboratories to ensure that it’s safe.
Urging the state to embrace organic farming on a large scale, the minister said farmers should stop using harmful pesticides to make profits.
Health Minister V S Sivakumar, who presided over the function, said laboratories with facility to check pesticide level in vegetables would start operating from September 1.
He said currently the state was depending on pesticide residue lab in Agricultural University for the purpose.
Mr Sivakumar said that the state would make necessary market intervention to ensure availability of safe vegetables during Onam.
Surveillance would be stepped up at check posts. Every truck carrying vegetables should produce document on the licence and registration of the trade to be allowed to pass checkposts.
