Indepth: Pesticides in our food

Analysis of pesticide residues in blood samples from villages of Punjab

Date: 22/10/2008

A CSE report on analysis of pesticide residues in blood samples from four villages of Punjab - Mahi Nangal, Jajjal and Balloh in Bhatinda district and Dher in Ropar. Total number of pesticides detected in the samples analysed for 14 organochlorines and 14 organophosphorus pesticides indicated that each person is exposed to and carries a body burden of multiple pesticides which might be due to a combination of direct and indirect exposure to these pesticides. Concludes that human pesticide residue is a biological index of pesticide exposure and studies on blood can be used for assessing the total body burden data of pesticides in the occupationally exposed and unexposed population.

Related

Opinion: Cancer state

Feature: Pesticide ridden Punjab to begin cancer registration

Feature: Punjab university plays host to pesticide lobby

Feature: Residue of a revolution

Report: Punjab govt starts cancer registry: studies indicate pesticides cancer link

Cancer deaths in agricultural heartland
Source: ITC
Date: 01/03/2008
Pesticide use in the rice bowl of Kerala: health costs and policy options
Source: SANDEE
Date: 01/02/2007
Pesticide residues in food 2007: Joint FAO/WHO meeting on pesticide residues
Source: FAO
Date: 01/12/2007
FICCI study on implementation of food safety and standards act: an industry perspective
Source: FICCI
Date: 01/05/2007

Food safety

Poison vs nutrition: a briefing paper on pesticide contamination and food safety
This briefing paper on pesticide contamination and food safety makes a strong case for formulating standards for food and drinks and revamping the pesticide regulatory framework in the country. It discusses the need for legally enforceable standards addresses the larger issue of institutional reform in the governance of food safety and standard setting.

Report of joint committee on pesticide residues in and safet y standards for soft drinks, fruit juice and other beverages
Source: Lok Sabha Secretariat
Date: 01/09/2004
New rules on pesticide residues to strengthen food safety in the European Union
Source: European Commission
Date: 01/09/2008
A surveillance and monitoring system for food safety for India
Source: International Life Sciences Institute
Date: 01/03/2007
Manual of methods of pesticide residues analysis of food commodities
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Date: 01/01/2005
Smallholders and pesticide issues in fresh fruit and vegetable supply chains, with a focus on Senegal
Source: Pesticide Action Network
Date: 01/05/2008

Health effects

IMA to endorse PepsiCo's food products
the Indian Medical Association (ima) will now endorse PepsiCo's Tropicana fruit juices and its breakfast cereal Quaker Oats—the first time in the world that a medical association will endorse a food product.

Pesticide regulations

The food safety and standards (amendment) bill, 2008
A bill to amend the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This Act may be called the Food Safety and Standards (Amendment) Act, 2008.

Press room

Reports and documents

The pesticide detox: towards a more sustainable agriculture
Since the 1960s, the world's population has more than doubled and agricultural production per person has increased by a third. Yet this growth in production has masked enormous hidden costs arising from widespread pesticide use - massive ecological damage and high incidences of farmer poisoning and chronic health effects.
Pesticide residues in food and drinking water: human exposure and risks
This book describes the issues surrounding pesticide residues in food and drinking water and, in particular, the issues associated with human exposure and consumer risk assessment.