Introduction

Cognisance about unsafe and contaminated food is growing among citizens in India. People are now aware that due to inadequately regulated fertiliser and pesticide use, the food on our plates, especially fruits and vegetables, is a cocktail of synthetic chemicals. Fruits like apples and oranges are waxed with pesticides and chemicals at the production stage and by supermarkets to increase their shelf life. Vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, and microgreens are dipped in chemicals to make them look fresh. There is plenty of evidence that prolonged consumption of these vegetables and fruits can be fatal, affecting vital organs like kidneys and liver and, in severe cases, leading to genetic alterations and cancer. Though these findings are alarming, the situation is unavoidable.