Excessive use of pesticides in agriculture has raised concerns about food safety across India, with Gujarat ranking fourth among states where vegetable and fruit samples were found to contain pesticide residues above the prescribed limits.
According to recently released government data, 6,035 samples of vegetables and fruits were tested in Gujarat between 2023 and 2026. Of these, 170 samples were found to contain pesticide residues exceeding the permitted limits.
Across 23 states, a total of 70,652 samples were tested, of which around 3.1% contained pesticide residues above the prescribed limits.Karnataka recorded the highest number of samples tested, at 9,176, followed by Telangana with 8,198 and Punjab with 6,582.
Gujarat ranked fourth, followed by Himachal Pradesh, where 5,765 samples were tested.In terms of samples with excessive pesticide residues, Telangana topped the list with 486, followed by Karnataka with 334, Maharashtra with 260, Gujarat with 170 and Haryana with 152.
Why Excessive Pesticide Residues Are a Concern
Vegetables and fruits are essential for a healthy diet, but improper pesticide use can leave chemical residues on or inside produce. These residues may enter the human body through food when the prescribed safety limits are exceeded.However, detecting pesticide residues does not automatically mean that vegetables are unsafe. The key concern is whether the residues exceed the permitted limits. The health risks depend on the type of pesticide, the level of exposure and the duration of exposure.High exposure to certain pesticides can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, excessive sweating and nervous system problems. Prolonged exposure to some chemicals may also affect the liver, kidneys and other body systems.
What Needs to Be Done?
Washing vegetables thoroughly under clean, running water can remove dirt, dust and some pesticide residues from their surfaces. Consumers can also take the following precautions:-
Wash leafy vegetables carefully: Separate the leaves, rinse them thoroughly and remove damaged outer leaves.-
Peel when appropriate: Peeling certain vegetables and fruits may reduce some surface residues.- Cook vegetables properly: