Question : Use of Pesticides

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the Government for mixing pesticides more than prescribed limit in food items;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the presence of more pesticides in food items is the violation of human rights;

(d) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to follow the instructions in respect of less use of pesticides in fruits, vegetables and meat; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a): Yes.
(b) & (c): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo-moto cognizance of a news report published in the ‘Times of India’ on 05.10.2015 titled “Pesticide-soaked food samples double in 6 years”. In its notice dated 09.10.2015, NHRC has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to submit its report within 8 weeks from date of receipt of notice.
(d) & (e): Maximum Residual Levels (MRLs) of pesticides in fruits and vegetable and other food products have been fixed under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011. Presence of pesticide residues beyond these levels in food products including fruits, vegetables and meat is treated as a violation of the said Regulations, which attracts penal action under the Act. Enforcement of Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 and regulations thereunder primarily rests with State/UT Governments and accordingly, regular surveillance, monitoring and sampling of food products are undertaken by the State/UT Governments. FSSAI has also requested Commissioners of Food Safety of all States and UTs to undertake periodical inspection and monitoring of major fruit and vegetable markets, soft drinks and ready to serve beverages to check the use of pesticides in food items.