Malaysian pesticide vegetable: Is it more harmful than good?

Man spraying pesticide to vegetables

Malaysian pesticide vegetable: Is it more harmful than good?

We have been advised to consume vegetables or fruits since we were young in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So, I’m assuming we all try to do that. The problem is that unless you purchase organically or cultivate your own produce, the produce that you consume has most likely been fertilised with pesticide. Pesticide use has been associated with a number of health risks. Pesticides have serious consequences for the health of anyone who consumes pesticide-contaminated vegetables and fruit.

This begs the question, what are the concerns surrounding fresh food. These produce that we buy from our supermarkets, as well as the consequences pesticides have on people and the climate?

Different mix of vegetables for sale

What are pesticides and the potential harms?

Pesticides are chemicals that are used in farming to keep pests away from produce. They are employed not only to preserve crops during cultivation but also to enhance the shelf life post-harvest.

Regularly, pesticides influence the sensory system (framework in your body that controls your nerves and muscles). “Pesticides are potentially toxic to humans and can have both acute and chronic health effects such as acute poisoning, nausea, allergies, headaches and long-term health effects, including cancer and adverse effects on reproduction, depending on the quantity and ways in which a person is exposed.” – World Health Organisation.

Moreover, pesticides have the potential to pollute soil, water, grassland, as well as other crops. Pesticides, in addition to destroying insects and weeds, can be hazardous to a variety of other wildlife. This includesbirds, fish, important insects, and non-target plants. Although insecticides are the most acutely hazardous type of pesticides, herbicides could also be harmful to non-target organisms.

Tomatoes and bell peppers that are organic on the table

How safe is it in Malaysia?

Most of Malaysia’s vegetable produce is sourced from Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. Since the concern of insect-free vegetable production overpowers food safety. Thus, farmers tend to use more pesticides on vegetables to maintain the quality under tropical conditions.

A new report by Yang Farina et al (2017), detailed that cabbage, lettuce, celery, mustard, spinach, broccoli, and cauliflower from a few Cameron Highlands farms had been contaminated with at least one or more pesticides. These vegetables are found largely in supermarkets, trading, and wet markets all over Malaysia. This is why we need to start eating or buying organic and pesticide-free vegetables and fruits. Not only does it help keep you safe from pesticides but it helps the environment as well.

Here is a list of the fruits and vegetables that contain the lowest pesticide residue: Avocados, Sweet corn, Pineapples, Cabbage, Onions, Frozen sweet peas, Papayas, Asparagus, Mangoes, Eggplants, Honeydews, Kiwis, Cantaloupes, Cauliflower, and Broccoli.

All these vegetables are available in E-farm and you can purchase our yummy mix of organic and pesticide-free produce by just adding our deluxe box to your cart! We will deliver the deluxe Vege box to your doorstep directly within a day and anywhere in Kuala Lumpur. Let’s start living healthily.

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