THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chilli powder has become a permanent threat to the life of Malayalis. After testing nearly 51 samples of chilli powder by the Pesticide Residue Research and Analytical Lab attached to the Kerala Agriculture University at Vellayani here, the scientists have found pesticides in all the brands, including major ones. The red chilli being procured from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh is the main villain.
Pesticides like Bifenthrin, Ethion, Bifenthrin, Chlorpyriphos, Cypermethrin and Malathion containing 0.07 to 3.54 parts per million were found in 21 out of a total of 51 samples of chilli powder. According to a top official at KAU, mill owners get raw chilly either from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh or from Karnataka. Every third or fourth day, those at the Guntur factory spray different pesticides which are harmful to the consumers.
“Whether you buy brand X or brand Y, it is laced with pesticides. The root cause lies at the source at Guntur wholesale factory. The Kerala government steps are of no use unless the sourcing point is tapped,” said a KAU official. Scientists at the PRRAL collected samples in July and September. During the Onam season, they had focussed only on vegetables and fruits. In the current report, pesticides were found in vegetables like beans, green capsicum, celery, coriander leaves, curry leaves, green chilli, ivy gourd, mint leaves and palak leaves. Among fruits, mango was detected with Profenophos and Ethion having 0.24 PPM and 0.13 PPM respectively.
