21.29% of vegetable and fruit samples contain pesticide residues above acceptable values.

• Pesticide residues found in 21.29% of tested samples.

• Tests conducted in 16 block panchayats, 10 municipalities, and two corporations from January to March 2025.

• Pesticide residues above FSSAI/Codex limit found in 43 out of 202 samples.

• 28 vegetable and 15 fruit samples tested.

• Insecticides detected in 28 samples.

• Previous report found pesticide residues above permissible levels in 15.26% of samples.