Mauritius vegetables fail pesticide tests
Official reports show 59% of fruits and vegetables sold between October 2025 and June 2026 did not meet safety standards.
Food safety in Mauritius collapsed between October 2025 and June 2026, with official pesticide residue analysis showing a sharp decline in compliance for fruits and vegetables.
The Pesticides Regulatory Office reported that 59% of produce failed to meet standards, a situation exacerbated by a six-month gap in official publications between November 2025 and April 2026.
Kripalloo Naik, president of the Small Planters Association, stated that natural produce sells for Rs 5 per pound while treated vegetables fetch up to Rs 20 per pound, pushing farmers towards excessive chemical use.
Why it mattersMauritian consumers faced a heightened risk of purchasing contaminated produce due to widespread non-compliance with pesticide regulations.