Heavy metals such as lead, chromium, and cadmium have been detected in several vegetables, including brinjal, country bean, cucumber, okra, pointed gourd, and red amaranth. Among these, red amaranth (laal shak) was found to be the most contaminated with hazardous levels of heavy metals, according to a recent study.
The findings were presented at a seminar today (23 September) organised by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority in Dhaka.
The seminar highlighted the presence of heavy metals in nine vegetables and insecticide residues in four fruits.
Researchers warned that prolonged consumption of these contaminated vegetables could lead to life-threatening diseases, including cancer.
The study tested samples of potato, brinjal, okra, tomato, red amaranth, pointed gourd, cabbage, cucumber, and country bean collected from various district markets.
Red amaranth showed the highest levels of cadmium contamination, measuring 704.32 micrograms per kilogram, far exceeding the maximum permissible limit of 190 micrograms per kilogram.
Brinjal contained 275.66 micrograms per kilogram, okra 349 micrograms, and tomato 195 micrograms per kilogram.
The highest concentration of cadmium was found in samples collected from Narayanganj.
Excessive levels of chromium were also detected in country beans, cucumber, okra, pointed gourd, and red amaranth.
Lead was found in nine vegetables, including brinjal, cabbage, country bean, cucumber, okra, pointed gourd, tomato, and red amaranth.
In addition, tests conducted on 320 samples of mango, lychee, jujube, and guava revealed that around 10% contained harmful levels of insecticide residues.
