TRNC Agriculture and Natural Resources Ministry "TRNC fruits and veggies safe to consume"

Fruit and vegetables are safe to eat due to regular checks for pesticide residue before they go on sale, said the Agriculture and Natural Resources Ministry in releasing new test results this week.

Latest figures for the period August 8-12 showed that out of 26 local products, 22 were judged fit to go on sale while four were found to be contaminated with pesticides.

Out of 40 imported fruit and vegetables, 36 were passed while four were not. No pesticide was found on tested samples of cucumber, verigo grapes, black-eyed peas, melon, peppers or aubergine, said the ministry in a statement.

The 36 products passed fit for sale included peppers, celery, cherry tomatoes, nectarines, pomegranates, apples and pears. Ministry undersecretary Emirali Deveci said that the inspections were routine, with test results always being made public.

“People can safely consume fruit and vegetables they buy at markets as any that are found unfit to eat do not make it onto the shelves,” he said.

Cyprus Today