Harmful substances found in vegetable samples in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: After carcinogenic artificial colour content was found in gobi, kabab and panipuri, now some harmful substances have been found in vegetable samples. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken up an initiative to check the quality of vegetables from over 300 locations in Bengaluru and plans to test them for harmful substances.

The department had earlier banned the use of certain artificial colours in gobi and kababs, as they were found to contain carcinogenic substances. Recently, harmful substances were also found in paanipuri.

The FSSAI is now checking the quality of vegetables and has collected vegetable samples from over 300 locations in Bengaluru to test for harmful substances. The harmful substances found in vegetables include pesticides, chemical fertilisers and iron content. Consuming such vegetables can have negative effect on people’s health.

The Food Safety Department’s action follows a directive from the state government to conduct quality checks on vegetables.