Greece 2012! Farmers distribute free vegetables on Syntagma

Citizens snap up free vegetables that food scientists say may be contaminated (Eurokinissi) Hundreds of people gathered on Wednesday morning on Syntagma Square to pick up vegetables that were  distributed for free by a group of farmers from the Thiva region in Viotia, north of Athens.   Within two hours, the farmers distributed about 20 tonnes of potatoes, carrots, spinach and other agricultural products.   The farmers say they will also donate to the Athens municipality’s homeless foundation, the archdiocese of Athens and hospitals.   The farmers say they organised the gesture in reaction to recent reports that their produce is contaminated by hazardous metals and other harmful substances.   "Our products are pure and healthy and have been discredited without reason. They are safe and people can eat them without fear," said the farmers, citing a notice issued some years ago, in February 2001, by the agricultural ministry, certifying that the agricultural produce from Thiva are safe for consumption under the regulations.   However, some scientists have claimed that there is a legal gap in the legislation regarding the levels of heavy metals, such as nickel and chromium, in food.   They say that existing food legislation provides for no minimum levels for these metals in vegetables, which means there is no way of certifying them as safe.   They also say that the daily intake of produce from these areas must be evaluated especially for the senstive populations groups, such as children and pregnant women.