Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Kerala Minister Flags Pesticide Residues in Food Samples
The government of Kerala tested many food items, mainly vegetables, to see if they were safe to eat.
They checked 1,262 samples in their official laboratories.
They found that 58 of those samples had too many chemicals called pesticides, which can be harmful to people.
The minister in charge, T Siddique, said this is very serious and worrying.
He said buying such vegetables is like buying poison for our families.
To fix this, the government wants to help farmers grow food without these harmful chemicals, which is called organic farming.
The government is also starting a project called Kathir in 500 schools so students can learn to grow their own vegetables.
Every school taking part will get some money to help with the farming.
During the Onam festival, the government will open 2,000 special markets so people can buy safer vegetables.
The government hopes that many families will start growing some of their own food too.
Kerala Agriculture Minister T Siddique said excessive pesticide residues and toxic substances were found in 58 of the 1,262 food samples tested at official state laboratories.
The samples were tested at Agriculture Department laboratories across Kerala, including Vellayani and Mannuthy.
Siddique called the findings extremely serious, saying buying vegetables from shops means buying toxic substances for family members.
Steps will be taken to promote organic vegetable farming, and the 'Kathir' project will be implemented in 500 schools this year with Rs 10,000 provided per school.
A decision was taken to open 2,000 vegetable markets across Kerala during the Onam season under VFPCK and Horticorp.
- Who
- Kerala Agriculture Minister T Siddique, speaking to reporters in Kozhikode
- What
- Announcement that excessive pesticide residues and toxic substances were found in 58 of 1,262 food samples, along with plans to promote organic and household farming
- When
- Monday
- Where
- Kerala, India – samples tested at Agriculture Department laboratories including Vellayani and Mannuthy
- Why
- To highlight food safety risks and promote organic vegetable farming so families avoid buying vegetables with toxic residues
- Minister
- T Siddique, Kerala Agriculture Minister
- Samples tested
- 1,262
- Samples with excessive residues
- 58
- Testing laboratories
- Kerala Agriculture Department labs, including Vellayani and Mannuthy
- Kathir project schools this year
- 500
- Funding per school
- Rs 10,000
- Onam vegetable markets
- 2,000 markets under VFPCK and Horticorp