Kerala Finds Pesticide Residues in 58 Food Samples, Minister Siddique Says
Kerala minister P. Prasad Siddique says pesticide residues were detected in 58 food samples during statewide testing, raising concerns over food safety monitoring.
Kerala has detected pesticide residues in 58 food samples collected during a statewide food safety testing drive, according to Minister P. Prasad Siddique. The findings were shared during a review of food quality monitoring efforts across the state.
The minister said the contaminated samples were identified through laboratory testing carried out by the Food Safety Department. Officials are continuing inspections and testing across multiple districts to check compliance with food safety standards.
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The samples were collected from different categories of food products available in local markets.
The samples were collected from different categories of food products available in local markets. Authorities said the tests were conducted as part of routine surveillance aimed at identifying harmful chemical residues in food items.
The detection of pesticide residues in Kerala food samples has renewed attention on food safety enforcement and monitoring practices. Officials said action will be taken under the relevant food safety laws where violations are confirmed.
The Kerala government has been strengthening food quality inspections through regular market checks and laboratory analysis. Food safety officials are expected to continue sampling agricultural produce and other food products in the coming weeks.
The minister said consumers should buy food from authorised and regulated sources and that enforcement agencies would continue efforts to improve compliance. The department is also expected to increase awareness about safe agricultural practices and residue monitoring.
The presence of pesticide residues in Kerala food samples highlights the need for continued surveillance and stricter enforcement across the food supply chain.
The Food Safety Department has been conducting inspections across Kerala as part of an ongoing surveillance programme.
The Food Safety Department has been conducting inspections across Kerala as part of an ongoing surveillance programme. Teams collected food samples from markets, shops, wholesale outlets, and other distribution points to assess whether products met the prescribed safety standards.
Authorities said the testing covered multiple categories of food products commonly consumed by the public. The objective was to identify harmful chemical residues and take action wherever violations were detected.
Minister Siddique said the government is treating the findings seriously and has directed officials to strengthen enforcement measures.
Minister Siddique said the government is treating the findings seriously and has directed officials to strengthen enforcement measures. He said inspections and sample collection would continue across the state to ensure that unsafe food products do not reach consumers.
The department is also expected to increase coordination with agriculture and local administration officials. Authorities may conduct follow-up inspections of suppliers and vendors linked to the affected samples.
Officials said action will be taken under the relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act wherever violations are confirmed. Depending on the severity of the findings, authorities can issue notices, seize products, impose penalties, or initiate legal proceedings.
The government has emphasised that routine testing remains an important part of preventing contaminated food from entering the market. Continuous monitoring is expected to help identify recurring sources of contamination and improve compliance across the supply chain.
The Kerala government has indicated that inspections will continue in the coming weeks as part of its food safety surveillance programme. Officials are expected to collect additional samples from different regions and product categories to assess the extent of contamination.
The detection of pesticide residues in Kerala food samples has renewed public attention on food quality monitoring and agricultural practices in the state. Authorities say continued testing and stricter enforcement will remain a priority.
Authorities said the testing covered multiple categories of food .
