THE country’s regulators have failed to check the flow of pesticides into the food chain, suggests a monitoring report of the Department of Agriculture and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, the country’s premier institute. Fruits, vegetables, poultry and milk are all laced with high pesticide residues —much above the maximum residue limits (MRL) set by the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act of 1954. Samples of Amul milk collected from Ahmedabad, for instance, had the highest traces of chlorpyriphos, a known carcinogen that can also cause neural disorders.
The report, which analysed sample food items from 13 states in 20 laboratories across the country between 2008 and 2009, also found several food had residues of pesticides that are either banned in the country or are recommended for restricted use. DDT, for instance, is not recommended for vegetables.
But traces of it—108 times the recommended MRL—was found in tomatoes. Residues of banned pesticides like aldrin, chlordane, chlorfenyinfos and heptachlor were found in samples of vegetables, apple, rice, wheat, milk and butter; most were from Uttar Pradesh.
Milk is the rich source of the proteins, vitamins and other essential elements. It contains casein which is only present in milk and source of many amino acids. Protein is required for the growth and development of human tissues and immunity. The calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium are the important constituents of milk and it also contains vitamin B2 as well as vitamins A and D. Milk is at the risk of contamination by a variety of chemicals which persists in environment after disposal or their application. The major chemical contaminants are antibiotics, disinfectants, nitrites and pesticides1 . The contamination of milk with pesticides can adversely affects the growth and development of humans especially children up to a significant level. Organochlorine insecticides are chemically synthesized with chlorine and carbon. These can be divided in three classes viz dichlorodiphenylethanes (DDT, DDD, dicofol), chlorinated cyclodienes (aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor), hexachlorocyclohexanes (BHC)2 .
The use of synthesized pesticides started in 1949 with the application of DDT (Dichloro-diphenyltrichloroethane) in malaria control and HCH (Hexa-chloro-hexane) to control locust3,4. Organochlorine insecticides were used in high quantities worldwide especially in tropical countries like India to control malaria and in agricultural to control various pests. Now days, maximum number of food items we consume are contaminated with different pesticides. The quantification of organochlorines is being carried out due to its health hazardous and bioaccumulation in food chains. DDT, HCH, aldrin and dieldrin were used in agriculture and public health programmes in early 1980s in various countries. Most of countries now put a ban on these pesticides but some of them are still using by the local farmers and health department due to its versatile nature against various pests. Endosulfan is being widely used in cotton growing areas, on vegetable farms, and on coffee plantations7 . DDT and HCH were used in agriculture and in public health to prevent various pests, weeds, and other pathogens to protect the humans from various diseases. Approximately 25,000 mt/year of organochlorines have been used in India in which DDT contributed 40% of the total . Pesticides are developed under strict regulation with the aim of minimal impact on environment and human health but major concerns were raised when these components are detected in components of food chains. India is one the largest manufacturer of different pesticides in Asia and these insecticides are being used in measurable quantities in agriculture and health sector to combat various pests that may affect agricultural production and population9 (Sarkar et al., 2012). DDT and HCH are ubiquitous contaminants which undergoes biomagnifications process in food chain. The presence of DDT metabolites and HCH isomers in various components of environment is due to long range transport and persistence. DDT and HCH were used in public health and agricultural in India.
Pesticides used in agriculture to control pests such as insects, weeds and plant diseases have been subject to considerable legislative, regulatory and consumer scrutiny over the past few decades. Pesticides are toxic in nature; since many pesticides may potentially leave residues on foods available for human consumption, there is much concern regarding the potential health risks of pesticides in the human diet. The problem of contamination of our food commodities especially milk and milk products by pesticide residues constitutes one of the most serious challenges to public health. The information on the levels of pesticide residues occurring in food commodities is essential and can be obtained through regular monitor procedures. The analytical surveys not only provide the current data on pesticide residue Contamination but also serve to indicate whether or not the principles of good agricultural practices are being followed. Moreover, they also provide information regarding the Government policies in context of the restriction or ban on the use of certain persistent chemicals which may pose serious hazards to environment and human. The residues monitoring programs are the key means of ensuring compliance with regulations. These also create a database to help in assessing the levels of pesticide residue and the levels of residue intake. Many countries including India in the world have established analytical laboratories to monitor residue levels in foodarticles (Sharma et al. (2007). High level of pesticide residues in feedstuff from post-harvest treatment or by drift during commercial aerial application inhaled air or contaminated water. Feedstuff manufactured from plant material that has been treated during growing season with insecticides i.e. contaminated through feed, grass/hay use of insecticides directly on the cattle against disease vectors, use of insectides in stables for the treatment flies in milk processing for hygienic treatment against insects.
Today, our farming and food is full of toxins and synthetic substances in the name of ‘modern agriculture’ and a thrust to increase yields at any cost. The cumulative and synergistic effects of all these products cannot even be estimated by the producers and users. Hundreds of pesticides have been registered in the country over the years even as the government takes years to ban or restrict a handful of chemicals every decade or so.
Some amounts of pesticides appear as Residues in the crop products that they are used on at the time of harvest and point of consumption. The amount of such residues varies across crops, for different pesticides and locations.
Perusal of the residue data on pesticides in samples of fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, grains, wheat flour, oils, eggs, meat, fish, poultry, bovine milk, butter and cheese in India indicates their presence in sizable amounts.
In India, the production and use of pesticides are regulated by a few laws which mainly lay down the institutional mechanisms by which such regulation would take place – in addition to procedures for registration, licensing, quality regulation etc., these laws also try to lay down standards in the form of Maximum Residue Limits, Average Daily Intake levels etc.. Through these mechanisms, chemicals are sought to be introduced into farmers’ fields and agricultural crop production without jeopardizing the environment or consumer health.
PFA Regulations on Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)
Earlier, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regulated MRLs of pesticide and agrochemical in food products through the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA), 1955 as amended. However, with the implementation of Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, the PFA rules are being phased into the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2010. The new Act authorizes the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to “specify the limits for use of food additives, crop contaminants, pesticide residues, residues of veterinary drugs, heavy metals, processing aids, mycotoxins, antibiotics and pharmacological active substances and irradiation of food.” The existing MRLs on pesticides and agrochemicals specified in the PFA are incorporated in the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2010 – Chapter 8, pages 531-548. MRLs are listed by chemical product for specific food items / commodities. However, in some cases, tolerance limits are established for more generic categories of food (i.e. for Carbaryl, “other vegetables” have an MRL of 5.0 parts per million.
Regulations on Use of Pesticides/Agrochemicals
The manufacture, sale, import, export and use of pesticides are regulated by Ministry of Agriculture through the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Insecticides Rules, 1971. All insecticides (including fungicides and herbicides per Section 3e) are listed in the “Schedule,” and must undergo a registration process with the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC). As of September 14, 2010, there are 228 registered insecticides under Section 9(3) of the Insecticides Act, 1968: http://cibrc.nic.in/reg_products.htm. Registered products must be clearly labeled to indicate composition, active ingredient(s), target pest(s), recommended dosage, agricultural or household use, as well as any cautionary safety information. But most of the times, these cautions are written in a small font that they cannot be read.
Then, there are other institutions like Central Insecticides Laboratory and Insecticides Inspectors to ensure that the quality of insecticides sold in the market is as per norms. The Central Insecticides Laboratory is also meant to analyse samples of materials for pesticide residues as well as to determine the efficacy and toxicity of insecticides. This laboratory is also responsible for ensuring the conditions of registration.
As per this legislation, the central government will register the pesticides whereas the marketing licenses are allowed by state governments. The general enforcement of the legislation is by the state government’s agriculture department.
In addition, state officials work with the CIB&RC to conduct analysis (including MRLs of the pesticide post-harvest), to report and enforce on matters of public safety. The CIB&RC periodically reviews pesticide usage, and sometimes recommends bans on registration (e.g. when the MRLs are found to be above the PFA limits in agricultural produce post harvest). A list of banned pesticides is available at: http://www.cibrc.nic.in/list_pest_bann.htm As the Ministry of Agriculture continues to review pesticide safety, applications can be withdrawn or modified. In 2006, a number of pesticide applications were removed from the approved list: http://agricoop.nic.in/Gazette/gazette.pdf
Both the Central and State governments have been given the power to prohibit the sale, distribution or use of an insecticide or a particular batch in a specific location for a specific extent and for a specific period by notification in the official gazette [Section 27 of the Insecticides Act, 1968]. Section 26 of the legislation states that the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, require any person or class of persons specified therein to report all occurrences of poisoning (through the use or handling of any insecticide) coming within his or their cognisance to such officer as may be specified in the said notification. Based on such reports, on grounds of public safety, prohibition of sale of insecticides can be ordered and enforced. The Act also lays down penalties for producing/selling misbranded insecticides or for selling without license or for other contraventions of the Act.
While registration and licensing is done through the above mentioned processes, for banning or prohibiting a pesticide a different mechanism is used in India. Unlike in other countries where registered pesticides automatically come up for periodic reviews for their efficacy and safety (as in the case of some Scandinavian countries) or unlike in countries like Syria where a pesticide is automatically banned in the country if it is prohibited in two other countries, India goes through long processes of review and prohibition, usually through committees set up for the purpose.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
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Reference-On Request.
