FSSAI Proposes Science-Based Pesticide Residue Limits for Tea, Reaffirming Commitment to Consumer Safety

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published draft amendments proposing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for two pesticides, Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid, in tea. Published in the Gazette of India on October 16, 2026, the draft proposes MRLs of 20 mg/kg for Acetamiprid and 50 mg/kg for Imidacloprid. The proposed limit for Acetamiprid is lower than the limits in Japan and the USA. This proposal follows earlier regulatory measures such as the delisting of 13 higher-toxicity pesticides. The initiative seeks to balance consumer safety and food standards with effective agricultural pest management, noting that India's average pesticide use is less than 0.5 kg per hectare, which is significantly below the global average.