Check on toxic vegetables, fruits

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an effort to curb the flow of contaminated fruits and vegetables from other states, the state government has decided to mandate registration and licensing for wholesale dealers of fruits and vegetables in the state. To sensitise food business operators, the Commissionerate of Food Safety has scheduled a meeting with all wholesale fruit and vegetable dealers in the state on June 9.

Commissioner of Food Safety T. V. Anupama told DC that the Commercial Taxes Department had been asked to keep track of the vehicles arriving in the state through the green channel. A team from the commissionerate had submitted a report to the government based on their visit to neighbouring states from where the fruits and vegetables arrive in Kerala.

Anupama said the report exposed severe irregularities. Pesticides on vegetables coming from Tamil Nadu and other states were 5 to 10 per cent more than the permitted levels, she added.

“There are not many wholesale dealers in the state. Our objective is to bring awareness among them on the impact of pesticide intake,” said Anupama.

The plan is to collect statutory samples at check posts. The high-powered committee constituted by the state government has recommended to the authorities to keep track of the quantity and quality of vegetables arriving in the state.

Expert Dr Biju Thomas Mathew of Vellayani Agricultural College, who is part of the high-powered committee, said reaching out to the farmers is the key to preventing contamination.

“We have decided to undertake a study on the pesticide levels in imported vegetables and locally produced ones in the state. According to reports, 2,400 tonnes of vegetables arrive in the state. As far as we know, around 40 types of vegetables arrive here from other states,” said Mr Mathew.

He said that the state had no records on the quantity of each vegetable arriving in the state. “Our ultimate aim is to find out the source which is possible only by stepping up surveillance at check posts. Sales tax authorities should collect details on the quantity and source from where vegetables are procured. Statutory samples will be collected and we will monitor the pesticide levels and press legal charges against the producers (if they are beyond the permitted levels),” said Mr Biju Thomas.