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Advice to Consumer
Select fruits and vegetables without spots or necrosis (lesions) and any abnormality.
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with water (preferably) running potable water
before eating and cooking.
Purchase fruits and vegetables from known dealers.
Peeling of fruits before consumption and vegetables before cooking will reduce exposure
to pesticide.
Do not buy and consume cut fruits from open market.
Throw away fruits and vegetables infected by mould/fungus.
To minimize the hazards of pesticide residues, discard the outer leaves of leafy
vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage.
Do not wash fruits and vegetables with detergents as they may get absorbed inside.
Ensure the quality of fruits and vegetables by sending them to voluntary testing
laboratories.
Wash your hands with soap and potable water, use clean utensil and clean cutting
board with stainless steel knives.
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Other contaminants their source in Fruit and Vegetables and ill health effects
Pesticide residues, crop contaminants (aflatoxins, patulin, ochratoxin, etc.) naturally
occurring toxic substances and heavy metals are the major contaminants found in
fruit and vegetables. Pesticides are used in management of pests and diseases in
Agricultural and Horticultural crops. Heavy metals are present in the irrigation
water and other manures. Infested seeds, irrigation water and soil act as the source
of the fungal toxins.
Pesticides can leave adverse effects on the nervous system. Some harmful pesticides
can cause several hazardous diseases like cancer, liver, kidney, and lung damage.
Certain pesticides can also cause loss of weight and appetite, irritability, insomnia,
behavioural disorder and dermatological problems. The pesticide residue found in
fruit and vegetables include residues of both banned (Aldrin, Chlordane, Endrin,
Heptachlor, Ethyl Paration, etc.) and restricted pesticides for use in India (DDT,
Endosulfan, etc.). Heavy metals also causes adverse effect in human metabolic system,
skin diseases, heart problems, etc.
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