Pesticide residues are harmful to health

In recent years, there have been many topics concerning the over-standard agricultural residues of agricultural products. “Strawberry contains at least 20 kinds of pesticides, which is the dirtiest fruit and vegetable.” “The celery has 13 kinds of pesticides, so don’t eat it.” These all make consumers worry.

Professor Wang Jing, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Quality Standards and Testing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, told the Life Times that the detection of pesticide residues does not mean that the pesticide residue exceeds the standard. As long as the standard is not exceeded, it is qualified. Dr. Yun, a doctor of food engineering at Purdue University's Department of Agriculture and Bioengineering, also said that “how many kinds of pesticides” are “different to health” are two different things. Different pesticides are aimed at different pests or diseases, and the mechanism of action is generally different. Even if there are similar pesticides that will accumulate, it is still based on how "the amount of residue is", rather than whether it is harmful according to "how many kinds". That is to say, if the residual amount of each is lower than the national standard, the hazard can be neglected; if the residual amount exceeds the standard, then even if there is only one, it is still unqualified.

Many vegetables, including greenhouse vegetables, need to use pesticides in the production process to prevent pests and diseases. This is a reason to take medicines. With the continuous advancement of technology, the application of pesticide technology, application equipment and operation level has been greatly improved, which provides support for ensuring efficient and precise application of drugs. China's regulation of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables is relatively strict. In 2001, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs began routine monitoring of vegetables in wholesale markets, farmer's markets, supermarkets and production bases four times a year. In 2018, the rate of vegetables was monitored by 97.2%. The vegetables are mainly concentrated in cowpea, celery, spinach, leaf lettuce, onion, broccoli, enoki mushroom, etc. The pass rate of tomato, cucumber, shiitake mushroom, zucchini, broccoli, bitter gourd, garlic, etc. is 99%. the above. In fact, it is safe if we buy vegetables through formal channels.

The simpler method for pesticide residues is to use a cleaning method that rinses and soaks with water. This method is simple and applicable. However, it is not suitable for long-term soaking, soaking effect of 10~15 minutes, otherwise it will cause loss of nutrients in vegetables.