MARDAN: Officials of the district administration have failed to take action against the vendors who have been washing vegetables in contaminated water of a local nullah, posing serious health hazards to the people.

The vegetable vendors in Mardan district have carelessly been washing vegetables including potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc in contaminated water so as to make them look clean and attractive for buyers.

Sher Mohammad, a vegetable vendor, told this correspondent that they washed vegetable items in the nullah with the purpose to make them clean and look attractive. He said that buyers usually liked washed vegetables more than the unwashed ones. Besides, he said that they earned more profit from selling clean vegetables compared to unwashed and muddy vegetables.

Asked why they wash vegetables in contaminated water, he said that the nullah was located adjacent to the vegetable market and it was easy for them to wash the vegetables there.

Mohammad Jehanzib Yaqoob, a resident, said that these vendors and sellers had been washing vegetable items in such nullahs carrying contaminated and dirty water from washrooms, latrines etc from buildings located in along the nullahs. He said that food items washed in the nullah could spread hepatitis and such other diseases among residents of the district.

He criticised the district administration for not taking action against the people who had been playing with the lives of innocent people.

Talking to this correspondent, Dr Shahab Bacha said that vegetables washed in contaminated water could cause gastro diseases among the consumers. He pointed out that use of such vegetables usually disturbed food vitamins inside the human body. He advised people to cut and throw away any damaged or bruised part of the vegetable item.

“Gently rub vegetables while holding them under running water. Wash these items before peeling, so dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the knife onto the fruit or vegetable,” he said.

Dr Bacha advised people to throw away the outermost leaves of vegetables like cabbage, adding that consumers should store perishable produce in the refrigerator at 40 degrees or below.

When contacted, deputy commissioner Shahidullah Khan said that the district administration would take action against vendors not caring for people’s health and selling unhealthy food items. “I will issue instructions to the TMA officials to take action against such vegetable vendors,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play