Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolis disposes 2,267-kg mango laced with chemical

Kailali, June 3: Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolis City has disposed of 2,267 kg of mango laced with chemicals.

A joint market monitoring conducted by Sub-Metropolis, the Food Technology and Quality Control Office and the Pesticide Residue Rapid Test Lab, Attariya, found the mango contaminated with pesticide and destroyed it. The pesticide residue was found to be excessive in the fruit, so it was destroyed, said the chief of the consumer welfare section at Sub-Metropolis, Mahesh Malla.

Three bazaars of vegetables and fruits were inspected by the team. The monitoring team collected samples from the local Agriculture Retail Market, Dakchhinkali Road Vegetable Market and Hat Bazaar of Chauraha, Dhangadhi and conducted the lab test. The test found excessive use of pesticides in mango, cucumber, banana, grapes, apple, pomegranate, tomato and okra.

Among those, mango was found to be the worst- inedible. So, it was destroyed, Malla added. Chief of Food Technology and Quality Control Office, Hareram Pradhan, informed that among the fruits, mango was found with excessive residue of pesticide.

The fruits were imported from India. Eighteen samples were collected for the test. The mango sample showed 61 percent of pesticide residue, prompting the authority to action. However, 17 other samples were found edible. Although there was little residue of chemicals in other fruits and vegetables, they could be consumed.