Pesticide Residues in Vegetables: Practical Interventions to Minimize the Risk of Human Exposure

What is it about?

Malpractices in the use of pesticides in vegetable production have been reported in the horticultural sector in developing countries. In this work, we reviewed the current status of pesticide application, the occurrence and exposure of pesticide residues in vegetables as well as factors influencing the problem of pesticide exposure in Tanzania. The review suggests the need for broader research on the pesticide application practices to establish the important practices that have a significant association with the occurrence of pesticide residues in vegetables. Results from this research will allow for the allocation of resources for improvement, monitoring and control of these practices to minimize the risk of unwanted pesticide residues in vegetables.

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Why is it important?

This review shows that vegetables have high potential to the economy, and food and nutrition security of the people in Tanzania, but their quality and safety has and is not been critically monitored. As in other developing countries, the current status shows that vegetables are intensively treated with pesticide during production. However, there is very limited information on the occurrence of pesticide residues in these vegetables. Moreover, the association of these practices with pesticide residues in the vegetables is not well studied.

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