Kathmandu, June 30
Excessive levels of pesticide have been found in mustard greens (rayo saag) brought into the Kalimati vegetable market, the country’s largest vegetable and fruit market.
According to the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Committee, mustard greens brought from Bhaktapur’s Madhyapur Thimi Municipality for sale at the Kalimati market on Tuesday were found to contain 80.0160 percent of the pesticide “organophosphate.”
The Central Agricultural Laboratory had tested 12 varieties of vegetables and fruits from 12 shops at the Kalimati vegetable market on Friday.
During testing, the mustard greens were found to contain this level of pesticide. The greens, with such a high pesticide content, have been declared unfit for consumption.
The government considers produce safe for consumption when the inhibition rate is below 35 percent. If the rate falls between 35 and 45 percent, the produce can only be consumed after being kept aside for a few days. Produce exceeding 45 percent is deemed unfit for consumption altogether.
On June 26 as well, excessive pesticide levels were found in gourd, cauliflower, and potatoes brought from Dhading, Makwanpur, and Salyan.
During that testing, gourd from Dhading’s Gajuri Rural Municipality contained 66.51 percent pesticide, cauliflower from Makwanpur’s Thaha Municipality contained 64.54 percent, and potatoes from Salyan contained 66.99 percent.
