Studies conducted by Bangladesh Agricultural University and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute have revealed dangerous levels of heavy metals and pesticide residues in common vegetables and fruits in Bangladesh, posing significant health risks. Vegetables like red amaranth, brinjal, cucumber, and tomato were found to contain high levels of heavy metals, including cadmium, lead, and chromium, with red amaranth having the highest contamination of 704.32 micrograms of cadmium per kilogram—far above the permissible limit of 190 micrograms per kilogram. Additionally, pesticide residues were detected in 12.19% of 320 fruit samples, with litchi showing the highest contamination at 18.8%. The research highlighted long-term health risks, including cancer, associated with consuming these contaminated foods. The findings, presented by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, recommend avoiding the cultivation of vegetables in contaminated areas, improving screening methods, and conducting regular market surveillance to ensure food safety.
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