The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified draft amendments proposing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for two pesticides, acetamiprid and imidacloprid, in tea. The proposal reflects FSSAI’s approach to reviewing pesticide residue standards in light of scientific assessments, relevant international practices and the needs of Indian agriculture.
The draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026, propose maximum residue limits of 20 milligrams per kilogram for acetamiprid and 50 milligrams per kilogram for imidacloprid in tea. The proposed limits aim to establish clearly defined regulatory benchmarks for pesticide residues, facilitating compliance, monitoring and enforcement of food safety requirements, subject to the finalisation of the draft regulations.
The proposed standards also recognise the importance of effective pest management in agricultural production. The Ministry has highlighted that India’s average pesticide use remains below 0.5 kilograms per hectare, substantially lower than the global average of 2.38 kilograms per hectare. India’s pesticide use is also lower than the levels reported in several countries, including Colombia, Brazil and the United States.
Maximum Residue Limits are an important component of food safety regulation. They specify the maximum legally permitted concentration of pesticide residues in food commodities and are established through scientific assessments that consider residue data, dietary exposure and relevant safety considerations.
For the tea sector, the proposed limits are expected to provide greater regulatory clarity to tea growers, processors, food businesses, testing laboratories and enforcement authorities.
