In a recent meeting on food safety, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that Rau Ngot, a popular vegetable in Vietnam, is unsafe for consumption because of high levels of pesticide residues.
Health watchdogs had collected 25 samples of the vegetable from seven wholesale markets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for testing.
Results showed that seven samples contained higher-than-permissible levels of pesticide residues.
The other 15 samples containing residues lower than permissible limits, while no residues were found in the remaining three samples.
Health watchdogs also discovered two samples of Muop Dang (another kind of vegetable) out of 25 samples, to be unsafe because of high pesticide residues.
Nguyen Xuan Hong, Head of Plant Protection Agency, said Rau Ngot, Kho Qua, imported grapes and apples are the vegetables and fruits with higher levels of pesticides.
Farmers growing Rau Ngot in Hanoi, such as in Van Noi in Dong Anh District, Da Phuc in Soc Son District, Van Duc in Gia Lam District and Tien Le in Hoai Duc District, need to spray pesticides to kill harmful insects or else these insects destroy all crops.
According to Nguyen Xuan Hong, farmers spray pesticides to kill a virus that causes leaf curl. In addition, his deputy Pham Dong Quang added that there is a rumor that farmers use pesticides to generate faster growth in vegetables.
Cao Duc Phat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has ordered tightening of import and control of such pesticides. Agriculture agencies have been asked to instruct farmers with techniques to grow safe vegetables.
