Mustard greens grown at a “safe” vegetable cooperative in Hanoi have been found to contain pesticides at 12.5 times higher than allowable levels.
The Van Noi cooperative is a large and well-known produce production area in the capital’s Dong Anh District.
The city’s Plant Protection Department announced its findings on February 3 after analyzing the pesticide and metallic content of 24 samples of vegetables collected from supermarkets and other produce sellers in Hanoi.
The mustard greens sample was found to contain 0.25mg/kg of Fipronil, a type of insecticide, while the permitted level is just 0.02mg.
Consuming Fipronil in large amounts can cause acute poisoning, vomiting, dizziness and allergic reactions in humans.
