In view of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) advisory on the possible presence of herbicide glyphosate in pulses, sold in the country, the Maharashtra FDA has started collecting samples and the laboratory reports to be collated by early December.

Glyphosate is a herbicide used for control of weeds in farms. In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialised cancer agency of the World Health Organisation, had said there was limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a type of cancer) due to glyphosate usage. Last week the Punjab Government had banned the sale of glyphosate in the State.

Joint Commissioner of Maharashtra FDA, CB Pawar said that all the seven divisions of FDA in the State have been asked to collect samples. If the chemical presence is found, which is injurious to human health then the criminal action would be taken against the concerned persons. The law has provisions for such an action. If non-chemical contaminants are found then fine could be levied, he said.

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