Food adulteration, which has come become a common problem across different states in the nation, has shifted focus to the contamination of vegetables and fruits, this fall.

As per a letter sent across to the centre by the Union Minister of State for Health, Dinesh Trivedi, stocks of jackfruits, watermelons, brinjals and cucumbers, which are being supplied in the state this season, are essentially contaminated with oxytocin, a Schedule H drug.

He said that the chemical has the tendency of causing nervous breakdowns, sterility and neurotic complications.

“Oxytocin injections are being used by fruit and vegetable growers, who administer it to the plants and climbers which then grow faster”, he wrote.

He added that the chemical is being particularly injected into pumpkin, watermelon, brinjal, gourd and cucumber plants. To make matters worse, these contaminated vegetables are supplied to the markets right after the injection.

He also noted that these drugs are available at very less costs.

Dr. Dilshad, Professor and Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Government Rajaji Hospital, told that this drug, which is given to the pregnant women to turn down their labor pains, can be availed in the market easily.