New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed revised maximum residue limits (MRLs) for two pesticides, Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid, in tea as part of efforts to strengthen food safety regulations and ensure consumer protection.
The draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on October 16, propose an MRL of 20 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), or 20 parts per million (ppm), for Acetamiprid and 50 mg/kg (50 ppm) for Imidacloprid in tea.
The proposed limits are intended to establish clear regulatory benchmarks for monitoring pesticide residues and ensuring compliance with food safety standards, subject to finalisation of the draft regulations.
According to the FSSAI, the proposed standards have been developed after considering scientific assessments, international regulatory practices and the requirements of Indian agriculture.
The proposed Acetamiprid limit of 20 ppm is lower than the corresponding limits of 30 ppm in Japan and 50 ppm in the United States. The proposed limit for Imidacloprid has also been formulated with reference to international Codex standards.
The food regulator said the proposal forms part of its broader efforts to periodically review pesticide residue standards based on scientific evidence and evolving international practices.
The Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2024, had also introduced revisions to pesticide residue limits following assessments of available scientific data.
Earlier regulatory measures included the delisting of 13 pesticides identified as having higher toxicity, reflecting efforts to strengthen safeguards for consumers.
Maximum Residue Limits specify the highest legally permissible concentration of pesticide residues in food commodities. These limits are established through scientific assessments that consider pesticide residue data, dietary exposure and relevant safety factors.
The standards provide a measurable basis for monitoring pesticide residues and enforcing food safety requirements.
The FSSAI also acknowledged the role of pesticides in protecting crops from pests, reducing agricultural losses and maintaining productivity when used in accordance with prescribed practices.
The proposed regulatory framework seeks to balance the need for effective crop protection with consumer safety requirements.
According to the information cited in the proposal, India’s average pesticide consumption is less than 0.5 kg per hectare, substantially below the estimated global average of 2.38 kg per hectare.
The country’s average pesticide use is also lower than that reported in several other nations, including Colombia, Brazil and the United States.
Countries such as the United States, Japan and China, along with European Union member states, have registered various pesticides suited to their agricultural conditions, crop requirements and climatic environments.
India’s regulatory approach similarly seeks to address domestic agricultural needs while maintaining scientifically established food safety standards.
For the tea industry, the proposed limits are expected to provide greater regulatory clarity to growers, processors, food businesses, testing laboratories and enforcement authorities.
Clearly defined residue limits could facilitate consistent monitoring, responsible pesticide use and compliance with food safety requirements, while supporting confidence in the quality and safety of Indian tea.
The FSSAI said its approach focuses on evidence-based regulation, consumer protection and responsible agricultural practices.
The proposed amendment aims to establish a regulatory framework that considers scientific assessments, international standards and domestic agricultural requirements while maintaining food safety as a priority.
[DD news]