New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed new maximum residue limits (MRLs) for two pesticides, acetamiprid and imidacloprid, in tea, as part of its efforts to strengthen food safety standards and 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 residue limits of 20 mg/kg (20 parts per million) for acetamiprid and 50 mg/kg for imidacloprid in tea. Stakeholders have been invited to submit comments before the proposed regulations are finalised.
According to the proposal, India’s proposed acetamiprid limit is lower than the corresponding limits of 30 ppm in Japan and 50 ppm in the United States. The proposed imidacloprid limit has been framed with reference to international Codex standards.
The latest proposal follows FSSAI’s ongoing review of pesticide residue standards based on scientific assessments, dietary exposure considerations and international regulatory practices.
Earlier measures included the delisting of 13 pesticides identified as having higher toxicity. The 2024 amendment to the food safety regulations also formed part of the broader process of reviewing maximum residue limits.
MRLs specify the maximum legally permitted concentration of pesticide residues in food commodities. They provide benchmarks for monitoring, testing and enforcement to ensure compliance with food safety requirements.
The proposed standards seek to balance consumer protection with the need for effective pest management in tea cultivation. Appropriate crop-protection measures can help farmers control pests, reduce crop losses and maintain productivity.
The government statement noted that India’s average pesticide use is below 0.5 kg per hectare, compared with an estimated global average of 2.38 kg per hectare.
The proposed limits are expected to provide greater regulatory clarity for tea growers, processors, food businesses, testing laboratories and enforcement authorities.
FSSAI said its approach combines scientific assessment, international regulatory considerations and stakeholder consultation to promote food safety and responsible agricultural practices. The proposed limits will be subject to finalisation of the draft regulations.
