FSSAI proposes science-based pesticide residue limits for tea

New Delhi [India], October 17 (ANI): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), as a part of its ongoing efforts to advertise science-based meals security regulation and shopper safety, has notified draft amendments proposing most residue limits (MRLs) for 2 pesticides, Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid, in tea. 

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the proposal displays FSSAI’s strategy in direction of reviewing pesticide residue requirements in gentle of scientific assessments, related worldwide practices and the necessities of Indian agriculture.

The draft of Food Safety and Standards Amendment Regulations, 2026, revealed within the Gazette of India on October 16, proposes MRLs of 20 mg/kg (20 ppm) for Acetamiprid and 50 mg/kg (50 ppm) for Imidacloprid in tea.

As per the Ministry of Health, the proposed limits are supposed to supply clearly outlined regulatory benchmarks for pesticide residues, facilitating compliance, monitoring and enforcement of meals security necessities, topic to finalisation of the draft laws.

Notably, the proposed MRL of 20 ppm for Acetamiprid in tea is decrease than the corresponding limits of 30 ppm in Japan and 50 ppm within the United States of America. The proposed restrict for Imidacloprid has additionally been formulated with regards to worldwide Codex requirements. These comparisons mirror the emphasis on contemplating internationally recognised regulatory practices whereas bearing in mind India’s meals security priorities and home agricultural necessities.

The newest proposal kinds a part of FSSAI’s broader regulatory strategy in direction of the overview and revision of pesticide residue requirements. The Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2024, represented an necessary step on this course of, involving a overview of MRLs in gentle of obtainable scientific knowledge and worldwide practices. Earlier regulatory measures additionally included the delisting of 13 pesticides recognized as having increased toxicity, reflecting the persevering with emphasis on acceptable regulatory safeguards and shopper safety.

Maximum Residue Limits are an necessary element of meals security regulation. They specify the utmost legally permitted focus of pesticide residues in meals commodities and are established on the idea of scientific assessments, bearing in mind pesticide residue knowledge, dietary publicity and related security issues. These requirements present a measurable regulatory foundation for monitoring pesticide residues and making certain compliance with prescribed meals security necessities.

The proposed requirements additionally recognise the significance of efficient pest administration in agricultural manufacturing. Pesticides, when used appropriately and in accordance with prescribed practices, assist farmers shield crops in opposition to pests, minimise crop losses and keep agricultural productiveness. Access to acceptable crop-protection measures may help cost-effective farming practices. The regulatory strategy due to this fact seeks to steadiness the necessities of agricultural manufacturing with the overarching precedence of shopper security, the ministry mentioned. 

India’s comparatively low common pesticide use supplies an necessary perspective on the nation’s agricultural practices. At lower than 0.5 kg per hectare, India’s common pesticide use is considerably beneath the estimated international common of two.38 kg per hectare. It can also be decrease than the degrees reported in a number of nations, together with Colombia, Brazil and the United States of America.

Internationally, nations such because the United States, Japan and China, in addition to members of the European Union, have registered a variety of pesticides suited to their respective crops, weather conditions and agricultural necessities. India’s regulatory strategy equally seeks to take note of home crop-protection wants whereas sustaining acceptable safeguards for shoppers by means of scientifically established residue limits.

For the tea sector, the proposed limits are supposed to supply larger regulatory readability to growers, processors, meals companies, testing laboratories and enforcement authorities. Clearly outlined requirements can facilitate constant monitoring, accountable pesticide administration and adherence to meals security necessities, whereas supporting confidence within the high quality and security of Indian tea.

The draft modification displays FSSAI’s continued deal with evidence-based regulation, shopper safety and accountable agricultural practices. By combining scientific evaluation, worldwide regulatory issues and stakeholder session, the proposed framework seeks to steadiness meals security priorities with the sensible necessities of tea cultivation, whereas contributing to India’s broader goal of sustaining a clear and responsive meals security regulatory ecosystem. (ANI)