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 towards reviewing pesticide residue standards in light of scientific assessments, relevant international practices and the requirements of Indian agriculture.

The draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026, propose MRLs of 20 mg per kilogram for Acetamiprid and 50 mg per kilogram for Imidacloprid in tea. The proposed limits are intended to provide clearly defined regulatory benchmarks for pesticide residues, facilitating compliance, monitoring and enforcement of food safety requirements, subject to finalisation of the draft regulations. The proposed standards also recognise the importance of effective pest management in agricultural production. The Ministry highlighted that India’s average pesticide use of less than 0.5 kilogram per hectare remains substantially below the global average of 2.38 kilogram per hectare. It is also lower than the levels reported in several countries, including Colombia, Brazil and the United States of America.

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 on the basis of scientific assessments, taking into account pesticide residue data, dietary exposure and relevant safety considerations. For the tea sector, the proposed limits are intended to provide greater regulatory clarity to growers, processors, food businesses, testing laboratories and enforcement authorities.