Srinagar, Apr 22: Pesticide residues in our food chain are carcinogenic.
In a bid to ascertain the types and levels of pesticides, as well as other harmful chemicals on the fresh fruits and vegetable, the surveillance drive by the J&K Food and Drug Administration (J&K FDA) is underway. Simultaneously, the Department will also dig into the practice of artificial ripening of these edibles, following directions from Food Safety and Standards Association of India.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, J&K Commissioner of Food Safety, Smita Sethi said the department has intensified its vigil on fresh horticulture produce in market.
She said over the past month, the department has been carrying out matket checks to ensure there is no violation to the standards and public health is not compromised.
“A surveillance drive on fresh fruits and vegetables has been undertaken to examine contamination levels of pesticide residues and heavy metals,” Sethi said.
She said that 184 samples were lifted during this drive for testing and analysis.
Sethi said that this was in compliance with the directions issued by the FSSAI.
She said that another sampling drive was in offing and planned to be carried out in May. The drive follows the order issued by FSSAI on April 16, 2026, to all states and UTs. FSSAI has urged special enforcement drives for presence of calcium carbide treated edibles and collect circumstantial evidence for prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The directive urged them to step up monitoring and inspections to check the use of prohibited artificial ripening agents in fruits.
FSSAI has reiterated the ban on calcium carbide, commonly called masala for ripening mangoes, bananas, papayas and other fruits.
Such fruits flood the market even before the season with the use of banned chemicals, and pose threat to human health.
FSSAI has cited serious health risks like difficulty in swallowing, vomiting and skin ulcers as effects of these chemicals.
It has also prohibited dipping fruits in ethephon solution, directing that ethylene gas must be used only as per the approved guidance note.
The chemical must not have direct contact with the produce.
All state and UT Commissioners of Food Safety and Regional Directors have been directed to inspect fruit markets, mandis, storage facilities, wholesalers and distributors, especially during the seasonal fruit season.
Use of strip paper tests by enforcement officials to detect acetylene in godowns or ripening chambers has also been permitted.
Over the past year, the J&K FDA has uncovered serious malpractices in the food business including unhygienic meat, adulterated cheese, ghee, and others edibles.
