Toxic vegetables uncovered in south China

By Huang Zhaohua and Wang Yan (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-31 07:18

NANNING - A total of 9,610 kg of toxic vegetables were found in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the Nanning health bureau announced on Monday.

Two batches of vegetables were detected with excessive pesticide residues at a local vegetable wholesale market, according to a statement published on the Nanning government's official website.

Of the 9,610 kg of toxic vegetables, Nanning food safety authorities seized 3,540 kg, while 4,451.5 kg were sold to vegetable dealers outside Nanning and 1,618.5 kg had entered the city's local market, the government said.

Since Monday, more than 100 vegetable safety inspectors in Nanning have been urged to conduct emergency checks in the city's markets to look for tainted vegetables, said Tang Bowen, director of Nanning agriculture bureau.

So far, there have been no reported cases of food poisoning.

"The toxic vegetables were imported from outside of the autonomous region. We've contacted the related dealers for the 4,451.5 kg sold and made the information public, so the vegetables should be under control," Tang said.

Three types of pesticides were detected in the vegetables, including methyl parathion, cyhalothrin and flucythrinate.

According to Tang, the three pesticides are poisonous, though their use is permitted on farm products.

The current drought in the country's southeast area has contributed to the incident, Tang said.

"As a result of the dry weather, pesticides on fruits and vegetables have not been diluted, leading to the higher residues," he explained.

"The three types of pesticides detected are widely used in farming and do have effects on the human body. However, with adequate dilution, the farm products should be safe to eat," he said.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03/31/content_9664802.htm