Some Surprising Results
Coliform Bacteria Contamination -
Coliform bacteria contamination is wide spread through the produce from the local and the supermarkets. All the fruits and vegetables we tested indicated contamination by Coliform bacteria. We tested for the presence of the bacteria and did not quantify the number or the type of the Coliforms found. Coliform bacteria are not harmful per say but the presence of the bacteria are an indication of the presence of potentially harmful bacteria.
Nutritional Analysis -
There is little difference between the nutritional content of the produce tested from the local and the supermarkets. The Spinach and the Strawberries from the supermarket showed a very slight increase in the concentration of Vitamin C. Although these products were also tested for the presence of Vitamin A and E, the concentrations was negligible.
Exposure to Heavy Metals -
Potatoes from the supermarkets showed a increased presence of heavy metals. No differences were found in the Carrots tested from the two sources.
Chromium (25% increase), Aluminium (28% increase), Nickel (62% increase) and Copper (1.5% increase) were all found in higher concentrations in the produce from the supermarket. Cadmium was the only heavy metal that was found in decreased quantity in the Potatoes from the Supermarket.
Pesticide Exposure -
The produce was tested for the presence of 138 different pesticides. Of these only 6 pesticides were found at levels within the detection limit of the instrumentation used. Pesticide Exposure studies indicated that the produce from the local markets was less contaminated than the produce from the supermarket. The Strawberries from the supermarket were contaminated with Iprodione ( a fungicide) at concentrations of 330X higher than at the local market. Similarly Spinach and Carrots from the local markets showed no traces of pesticides.
How do we explain these results -
The team concludes that these results are a direct reflection of the source from where the produce is grown. The local wet markets are supported by the small farms and family farms which depend more on the traditional natural ways of growing produce and since the produce is sold locally the growers do not have to use potent preservatives to transport. And since these farmers and their family consume the same produce they are more likely to be more scrupulous about use of pesticides and chemicals.
Coliform bacteria contamination is wide spread through the produce from the local and the supermarkets. All the fruits and vegetables we tested indicated contamination by Coliform bacteria. We tested for the presence of the bacteria and did not quantify the number or the type of the Coliforms found. Coliform bacteria are not harmful per say but the presence of the bacteria are an indication of the presence of potentially harmful bacteria.
Nutritional Analysis -
There is little difference between the nutritional content of the produce tested from the local and the supermarkets. The Spinach and the Strawberries from the supermarket showed a very slight increase in the concentration of Vitamin C. Although these products were also tested for the presence of Vitamin A and E, the concentrations was negligible.
Exposure to Heavy Metals -
Potatoes from the supermarkets showed a increased presence of heavy metals. No differences were found in the Carrots tested from the two sources.
Chromium (25% increase), Aluminium (28% increase), Nickel (62% increase) and Copper (1.5% increase) were all found in higher concentrations in the produce from the supermarket. Cadmium was the only heavy metal that was found in decreased quantity in the Potatoes from the Supermarket.
Pesticide Exposure -
The produce was tested for the presence of 138 different pesticides. Of these only 6 pesticides were found at levels within the detection limit of the instrumentation used. Pesticide Exposure studies indicated that the produce from the local markets was less contaminated than the produce from the supermarket. The Strawberries from the supermarket were contaminated with Iprodione ( a fungicide) at concentrations of 330X higher than at the local market. Similarly Spinach and Carrots from the local markets showed no traces of pesticides.
How do we explain these results -
The team concludes that these results are a direct reflection of the source from where the produce is grown. The local wet markets are supported by the small farms and family farms which depend more on the traditional natural ways of growing produce and since the produce is sold locally the growers do not have to use potent preservatives to transport. And since these farmers and their family consume the same produce they are more likely to be more scrupulous about use of pesticides and chemicals.