Poisoned mandarins, AKU silent / Analyses confirm the sold quantity was carcinogenic

A few days ago, mandarins were sold in Tirana supermarkets that had been sprayed with the insecticide periphos methyl, also known by its trade name Acticlic.

If we read the label, this agricultural product is prohibited for use in agriculture, as it is meant to disinfect warehouses or food and legume storage. Despite this, mandarins sprayed with this chemical were sold in Albania.

The Food and Veterinary Agency (AKU) showed its inability to stop the sale of the product. However, even after five days, NFA and the Ministry of Agriculture (MB) have yet to trace whether this was a domestic product or an import, and how many mandarins sprayed with periphos methyl reached the tables of Tirana's citizens, and beyond.

"Pimiphos methyl is an organophosphate insecticide that was used years ago to fight insects in field conditions, but it is no longer used. It is only applied for stored products," said Shpend Shahini, a lecturer at UBT.

The laboratory analyses from ISUV were the ones that raised the alert that the mandarins had been sprayed with this chemical. If we read the product's label, we understand why the European community removed it from the list of insecticide products used on trees. The risks posed by this poison are many, as stated on the pesticide bottles:

Perimiphos methyl:

Can cause irritation of the respiratory tract

Can cause drowsiness

Suspected of causing cancer

Causes damage to the central nervous system organs

This chemical should not have been on the mandarins, and the blame does not fall solely on the farmer, but also on the agricultural directorate specialist who should be in the field to inform farmers.

"Based on the analysis you mentioned, we think the farmers used it during the vegetative period, so here comes the role of the pharmacists and agricultural experts who should be close to the farmers to advise them," said Shahini.

So far, NFA and the Ministry of Agriculture have not reacted to the scandal of the dangerous mandarins. This case raises serious concerns about the control of the food chain and questions food safety and consumer protection.

“KORÇA BOOM”