New Delhi, Jul 26: It is said green vegetables are the best balanced diet, but now that does not seem to work as recent research has reported that it contains toxic chemicals in vegetables and fruits which are on sales.

Union Health Secretary, Minister of State for Health, Dinesh Trived has told the consumers to take preventive measures as the effect may lead to nervous breakdowns, sterility and neurotic complications.

This is because farmers are using hormone shots to expedite the growth of their vegetables. As a result the hormone will cause irreparable damage to health. The more shocking element is that the public/authorities are also aware of this malpractice," Trivedi said in the letter, seeking action against such farmers.

Now minister's warning has come after farmers have used oxytocin as a common practice by injecting vegetables for fast growth of fruits and vegetables.

Oxytocin is a hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter to the brain. It is used clinically to induce labour, control bleeding after delivery and stimulate secretion of breast milk.

The chemical is injected in pumpkin, watermelon, brinjal, gourd and cucumber for perfect look. The irony is that oxytocin is a Schedule-H drug, which is banned in the country for use on animals.

Trivedi, in his letter, also mentioned the use of chemicals like copper sulphates for colouring fruits and vegetables.

“The adverse effects of these toxins are being investigated. Both these hazardous chemicals and their use needs to be urgently monitored and looked into immediately," the minister said.

OneIndia News