Currently, 4 million people in the country, mostly living in deprived areas such as Sistan-Baluchestan Province, receive fewer calories than they need, said Rasuol Dinarvand, head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “On average, Iranians take in 25% more calories than they actually need and overeating has led to obesity in 48% of the people,” Salamat News quoted him as saying. Harmful levels of pesticides and preservatives above the food safety standards were found in 10% of all food products tested in FDA laboratories since the beginning of the current fiscal year that ends in March.
