Akhir 05 , 1432 H. / March 10, 2011 -- A court in India's capital New Delhi has ordered authorities to conduct tests on fruits and vegetables for toxic substances, news reports said Thursday, according to dpa. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday instructed authorities to randomly buy vegetables and fruits from 10 markets in the capital, the Indian Express daily reported. "We would like to launch an exercise that would conclusively ascertain if vegetables being consumed by buyers in Delhi are free of toxins," the report quoted the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra as saying. The samples must be sent for tests at three certified labs and the findings submitted within five weeks, the court said. The court was hearing a public interest case about health hazards posed by pesticides and toxic chemicals being used in growing fruits and vegetables. A study released by a consumer organization in October said that the amount of pesticides used in India was 750 times the European norms. Consumer Voice said four internationally banned pesticides were detected in vegetables and fruits sold in Delhi. These pesticides were known to cause cancer and infertility and damaged the lungs, liver, kidneys and eyes.
