Kathmandu. The pesticide residue tested at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market has revealed that mustard vegetables brought from Madhyapur Thimi of Bhaktapur district were found unfit for consumption.
The test carried out by the Pesticide Residue Rapid Analysis Laboratory Unit under the Central Agriculture Laboratory, Kalimati on Tuesday showed that one of the 13 samples was found to have high level of pesticides.
According to the laboratory, the resistance percentage of organophosphate pesticides in mustard greens brought by Sunita Shrestha in the market is 55.72 percent. According to government standards, fruits and vegetables with pesticide-residue content of more than 45 per cent are considered unfit for consumption and should be disposed of immediately. Accordingly, instructions have been given to dispose of the mustard greens.
Other vegetables and fruits tested on the same day were found safe for consumption.
The laboratory tested watermelon of Sunsari, papaya of India, watermelon of Nawalparasi, apple of China, bitter bitter gourd of Dhading, cabbage of Makwanpur, tomato and chilli of Nuwakot, cucumber of Kathmandu, brinjal of Chitwan, bhindi chilli of Kavre and mustard greens of Dolakha. All of them have been certified as consumable as the pesticide content is less than 35 percent.
As per the government’s regulation, the contraband should be consumed if it is less than 35 percent, quarantine should be used only if it is 35 to 45 percent and if it is more than 45 percent, it should be destroyed.
According to the laboratory, the test is based on insecticides of carbamate and organophosphate groups.
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