800,000 vegetable and fruit samples tested

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Environment and Water has tested about 800,000 samples of fruit and vegetables since the beginning of this year to ensure they do not contain pesticide residues beyond the permissible limit.

About 88 per cent of samples were found to comply with the rules, according to a press release issued by the ministry on Wednesday.

The ministry is working on an initiative called ‘the comprehensive national system for administering and controlling the use of pesticides.'

This follows a Cabinet decision in 2009 regarding the launch of a national strategy for controlling and administering pesticides. The target is to enhance food security in the country, said Dr Mariam Al Shanasi, undersecretary at the ministry.