An official from Iran's Ministry of Health warned about excessive residues of nitrates and agricultural pesticides in several crops such as tomatoes, onions, potatoes, rice, and cucumbers, calling it concerning. On Tuesday, October 20, Rasul Dinavand, head of the Food and Drug Organization of the Ministry of Health, stated in an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that the examination results of eight widely consumed agricultural products showed that 8% of these products had pesticide residues exceeding permissible limits. According to him, the levels of these pesticides were found to be 1% in some products and up to 30% in others. The main concern of the Ministry of Health is the high levels of nitrates in food products, which have sometimes been reported to exceed those of agricultural pesticides. Mr. Dinavand also emphasized that while pesticide residues and nitrates in agricultural products do not have short-term effects, 'the dangerous effects of these pesticides will manifest in the long term.' Previously, reports had been published about the excessive use of nitrate-containing pesticides in Iranian agriculture, and the Jam-e Jam newspaper quoted agricultural experts stating that these fertilizers, particularly in northern regions of the country, have become widespread due to their low cost, 'such as urea fertilizer, which converts to nitrates in products like onions and potatoes and accumulates in them.' Nitrates can have harmful effects on health, including the circulatory system, to the extent that a former Iranian health minister during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration recommended that pregnant women and infants avoid drinking tap water when reports of excessive nitrate levels in Tehran's water emerged. However, the presence of excessive nitrates in agricultural products is an issue that the head of the Food and Drug Organization insists 'the Ministry of Agriculture, as the responsible authority, must take serious actions to address.' He stated, 'The Ministry of Health has informed the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture that the condition of agricultural products regarding pesticide residues is inappropriate, and particularly that the nitrate residues in these products are high and need to be addressed.' Mr. Dinavand ultimately advised the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad to educate farmers on using pesticides appropriately and not to use unauthorized pesticides.
Health Ministry Warns of Pesticide Residues in Agricultural Products
The Iranian Ministry of Health has raised alarms over high levels of pesticide and nitrate residues in common agricultural products, with 8% of tested items exceeding safe limits. This issue highlights ongoing concerns about agricultural practices in Iran and their potential long-term health impacts on the population.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Iranian Ministry of Health has issued a warning about high levels of pesticide and nitrate residues found in several common agricultural products. Approximately 8% of tested items exceeded permissible limits, raising concerns about long-term health effects.
- 8% of tested agricultural products had pesticide residues above safe limits.
- Nitrate levels in some products were reported as high as 30%.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has faced challenges with agricultural practices, including the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can lead to health hazards. This situation is compounded by economic factors that make cheaper, harmful inputs more attractive to farmers.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%