Pesticide Contamination in Food: A Review

Abstract

The debate on pesticide residues in food in India has raised awareness over contamination of our food commodities with toxic pesticide residues. Unfortunately the debate became restricted to the quality standards and norms pertaining to drinking water and foods at the point of consumption. The more fundamental problem of contamination of all natural resources with chemical pesticide residues because of faulty and hazardous agricultural technologies at the farming level is often ignored. Without solving the basic problem, no amount of standard-setting at the consumption level is going to solve the problem, especially in developing countries where enforcement of regulations is notoriously weak or even absent. Though some pesticides banned, their residues are still persisting/existing in food and environment due to its illegal use and nature of persistence. Therefore, it is essential to fan out the awareness about GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) among the farmers and strict action against the illegal use of pesticides.