A COMPARISON OF PESTICIDE AND HEAVY METAL RESIDUES IN ORGANIC AND NON-ORGANIC PULSES SOLD IN THE INDIAN MARKET

This study compares the presence of pesticide and heavy metal residues in organic and non-organic pulses available in the Indian market. Three samples of each type were tested. The non-organic pulses contained traces of pesticides like Chlorpyrifos, Ethylene Oxide (ETO), and Thiamethoxam, while none of the organic pulses showed any pesticide residue. Heavy metals like Mercury, Arsenic, Lead, and Cadmium were found above the safe detection limit in non-organic pulses, but were not detected (or were below measurable levels) in organic samples. The study also explains how various organic standards (like NOP, NPOP, COR, JAS, and EU 2005) help ensure food safety.