LUDHIANA: The experts of department of entomology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), on Friday revealed that all India coordinated research project on pesticide residues had found that 60 per cent of different food commodities were contaminated.
The study noted that 14 per cent of commodities exceeded that maximum residue limit (MRL). As per a press note issued here, MRL's have been prescribed for 71 pesticides out of the 185 registered for use in the country by the Central Committee for Food Standards.
The prescription is covered under Food Adulteration Act, 1954. It was said the commodities bearing pesticide residues above the legally permitted levels could be rejected by the importing countries, leading to considerable financial losses.
The experts also suggested the use of insecticides as per recommendations of PAU and the state agriculture department. The efficient spray technology and economic threshold levels could help in reducing the pesticide load vis-a-vis toxic residues, they said. The experts added that integrated pest management approach, adoption of precautions while applying pesticides and checking industrial effluents from entering water bodies could help in reducing these residues.
They also advised washing of fruits and vegetables, removing their skin and pressure coooking to mitigate the pesticide problem.