Toxic Vegetables in Bengaluru?

CPCB Report Flags High Lead and Pesticide Levels

- Shrikrishna M

A recent investigation by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has raised serious concerns about the safety of vegetables sold in Bengaluru markets and nearby farming areas.

The findings reveal the presence of dangerously high levels of lead and pesticide residues in commonly consumed vegetables - including some sold as "organic."

High Lead Levels in Everyday Vegetables

According to the report, 72 vegetable samples were tested, and 19 were found to contain lead levels above the safety limits set under Indian food safety laws. One of the most alarming findings was in brinjal (eggplant) marketed as organic, which reportedly contained about 1.953 mg/kg of lead — nearly 20 times higher than the permissible limit of 0.1 mg/kg.

Other vegetables found with elevated lead levels include gourds, flat beans, leafy greens, cabbage, cucumber, capsicum, chillies, beetroot, turnip, and squash. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the body over time. Even low-level exposure can be harmful, particularly for children and pregnant women.

Pesticides and Chemical Residues Also Detected