Because so much of our food contains small amounts of pesticides, the Government has adopted something called Maximum Residue Level (MRL). These are the officially acceptable limits for chemicals in our food. An MRL is expressed in milligrams of chemical per kilogram of produce. For example, the MRL for Cypermethrin is 1.0 mg/kg. If 1.0 … Read more
Testing of food for contamination by pesticides is carried out by a number of organisations in Thailand, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (Office of Research and Development on Agricultural Production) and the Ministry of Public Health (Department of Medical Sciences). These institutions have special laboratories to conduct detailed tests. Pesticide residues can … Read more
In Thailand it is impossible to completely avoid eating food that contains pesticides. But there are practical steps you can take to reduce the amount of pesticide residues in your food. Here are seven suggestions: Buy food that is labelled ‘organic’ or ‘safe’. Thailand has an increasing number of stores that specialise in selling healthy … Read more
Mrs. Ploypailin is a 26-year old Secretary working in a Government Office, close to Chatuchak market. “I am very scared about what I have heard on TV about pesticides in food. It said that pesticide residues could accumulate in the body and cause cancer.” “I try to buy vegetables which have lots of holes in … Read more
Organic food is grown without any artificial pesticides or fertilizers. This is the most natural food available, and there are strict standards that organic farmers must follow. The major certifying organisation in Thailand is ‘Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand’ (ACT). The leading producer of organic foods is Green Net Cooperatives. Both ACT and Green Net are … Read more
“Safe Food” is a new label introduced by the Thai Government. It is based on standards that have been agreed by both The Ministry of Public Health and The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The standards for “safe food” are not as strict as for “organic food”; farmers are allowed to use chemical fertilizers and … Read more
The labeling of food in Thailand is a bit confusing at present. The most reliable labels are “organic” and “safe”. If the Government has certified the producer or supplier, the food package will include one of these logos. Here are some of the other labels you might come across: Hygienic food “Hygienic” is an … Read more
Certified organic food contains less pesticide residue than other foods. This is the safest choice if you want to reduce the amount of pesticide you are consuming. Because some pesticides remain in the soil and water for many years, these chemicals end up in crops that were not sprayed by the farmer. This means that … Read more
Samrit Intaram is the Market Specialty Manager for The Mall Group, Thailand’s second largest owner and operator of shopping complexes. “In 1997 we realized that most vegetables and fruits were contaminated with pesticides. It was then that we decided to open a market for non-chemical products. At the beginning, we purchased through middlemen and conducted … Read more
Yes they are. Children are especially vulnerable to pesticide poisoning for a number of reasons: Children’s behaviour means they are easily exposed to pesticides in the environment. They play on the floor, they pick up strange objects, and they put things in their mouth; The small size of children means that a specific amount of … Read more
