One commenter shows that this was caused by Bayer Nemacur (an anti-nematode pesticide), a pesticide which was only banned in 2021(!) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2020/1246/oj
Here is an overview over the EU pesticide regulation updates: https://indianembassybrussels.gov.in/pdf/Pesticide_Monitorin...
Quoting the pesticide in question: > Fenamiphos : Non-renewal of the active substance A nematicide used to kill plant parasite roundworm and thrips infestation in fruiting vegetables (i.e. tomato, aubergine, cucumber, pepper and courgette), herbaceous ornamentals and in nursery stock (both perennial and herbaceous species).
Effective date: 23 Sept., 2020 (for non-approval of substance); 23 March, 2021 (for withdrawal of authorization of plant protection products); 23 Sept., 2021 (for grace period given if any).
Reason for non-approval: Potential acute risk for consumers - despite of incomplete data, was identified for all the representative uses concerning fruiting vegetables.
Usage in India: Used in wide variety of vegetables such as okra, cauliflowers etc. and fruit crops.
Around the time this article was published the UK had an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, triggering a terrible government response that was also based on the most absurd pseudo-science. Lots of similarities too this story. Yet they never learned anything from it.
Still, it's hard to be fully convinced by the journalist's / renegade scientists' alternative theory, seeing as the evidence seems to boil down to "trust me bro". Especially as the symptoms and timeline sound rather like what you'd expect from a transmitted pathogen rather than food poisoning. The justification for it being food related never seen to be given after the official theory was dismissed.
