FSSAI Alert: Harmful Lead, Pesticides Found in Brinjal, Cabbage & Other Vegetables

• FSSAI lab analysis found lead exceeding safe limits in brinjal (highest), bottle gourd, radish, beetroot, cabbage, capsicum, chili, cucumber, jute leaves, kohlrabi, and pumpkin.
• 10 out of 70 vegetable samples also showed pesticide levels above prescribed limits, raising food safety concerns.
• Lead contaminates plants via soil/water, becoming part of seeds; it cannot be removed by simply washing or peeling.
• Lead is highly toxic, affecting 1.5 million globally in 2021 (WHO); children are especially vulnerable to nervous system damage and impaired brain development.
• Safety tips include thorough washing for surface residues, a balanced diet (iron, calcium, Vit C) to mitigate lead effects, and regular health check-ups.