Ahead of Onam, agricultural university finds high toxicity in several items used in sambar, issues warning

THRISSUR: With another Onam season on the horizon, the presence of fungus-insecticides in the vegetables in the public market has doubled, according to the results of the agricultural university sample testing. It was found that the presence of pesticides was found in 25.74 percent of the samples in April-September 2021 and reached 47.62 percent of the species in October-March.

Fungicide-insecticides in excess of the permissible limits were found in 40-70% of the samples used in sambar like drumstick, onion, carrot, tomato, curry leaves, coriander leaves and green chillies.

In this, toxic substances like metalaxyl in tomatoes, chlorpyrifos in carrots, acetamiprid in drumsticks and ethion in green chillies were found. 44.93% presence of pesticides was found in cardamom, the main ingredient of payasam, crushed chillies, cumin seeds, kasuri methi and Kashmiri chillies.

The previous examination result was 15.38 percent. In fruits, the toxic content was more in apples and grapes. Beans, fenugreek leaves, parsley, sambar chillies, carrots, salad cucumbers and bittergourd from establishments labelled organic have 30-50% toxicity. On the other hand, the presence of pesticides was not detected in berry, banana, onion, cucumber and white gourd. Out of 534 fruit, vegetable and spice samples from different parts of the state, 187 contained pesticides. In addition to public markets, samples were taken from ecoshops, organic establishments, and directly from farmers.

Groceries with pesticides (general market)

Red Spinach, Capsicum, Chili, Fenugreek, Mint, Beans, Kathiri, Kovaka, Pavaka, Salad Cucumber, Lentils, Coriander, Cumin, Ginger and Fennel Powders.

Toxic content not found in:

Cabbage, sorghum, yam, ginger, garlic, gooseberry, green mango, musambi, papaya, plantain, pomegranate, watermelon (yellow), black pepper, cinnamon.

Vegetable toxicity

47.62 in the general market sample
18.18 from farmers
15.79 in eco shop
Those under organic label 19.44

Precaution

Washing cut vegetables in tamarind water is more effective than vinegar water and vegetable wash. Fruits, flowers and carrots can be washed uncut.