In line with its continuing efforts to advance science-based food safety regulation and consumer protection, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified draft amendments that propose Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for two pesticides, Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid, in tea. The proposal reflects how FSSAI reviews pesticide residue standards based on scientific assessments, relevant international practices and the requirements of Indian agriculture.
The draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026, which appeared in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026, propose MRLs in tea of 20 mg/kg (20 ppm) for Acetamiprid and 50 mg/kg (50 ppm) for Imidacloprid. The proposed limits aim to set clearly defined regulatory benchmarks for pesticide residues and make compliance, monitoring and enforcement of food safety requirements easier, subject to finalisation of the draft regulations.
Notably, the proposed MRL of 20 ppm for Acetamiprid in tea is below the corresponding limits of 30 ppm in Japan and 50 ppm in the United States of America. The proposed limit for Imidacloprid has likewise been framed with reference to international Codex standards. These comparisons show the weight given to internationally recognised regulatory practices, alongside India's food safety priorities and domestic agricultural requirements.
The new proposal is part of FSSAI's wider regulatory approach to reviewing and revising pesticide residue standards. The Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2024, marked an important step in this process, with MRLs reviewed in light of available scientific data and international practices. Earlier regulatory steps also included delisting 13 pesticides found to have higher toxicity, underlining the sustained emphasis on appropriate regulatory safeguards and consumer protection.
Maximum Residue Limits form an important part of food safety regulation. They lay down the maximum legally permitted concentration of pesticide residues in food commodities and are fixed on the basis of scientific assessments that consider pesticide residue data, dietary exposure and related safety factors. These standards offer a measurable regulatory basis for monitoring pesticide residues and ensuring compliance with prescribed food safety requirements.
The proposed standards also acknowledge the importance of effective pest management in agricultural production. When used appropriately and in line with prescribed practices, pesticides help farmers shield crops from pests, reduce crop losses and sustain agricultural productivity. Access to suitable crop-protection measures can also support cost-effective farming practices. The regulatory approach therefore aims to balance the needs of agricultural production with the overriding priority of consumer safety.
India's relatively low average pesticide use offers an important perspective on the country's farming practices. At under 0.5 kg per hectare, India's average pesticide use is well below the estimated global average of 2.38 kg per hectare. It is also lower than the levels recorded in several countries, including Colombia, Brazil and the United States of America.
Globally, countries such as the United States, Japan and China, along with members of the European Union, have registered a wide range of pesticides suited to their own crops, climatic conditions and agricultural requirements. In the same way, India's regulatory approach seeks to account for domestic crop-protection needs while keeping appropriate safeguards for consumers in place through scientifically established residue limits.
In the tea sector, the proposed limits aim to give growers, processors, food businesses, testing laboratories and enforcement authorities greater regulatory clarity. Clearly defined standards can support consistent monitoring, responsible pesticide management and adherence to food safety requirements, while building confidence in the quality and safety of Indian tea.
The draft amendment underlines FSSAI's ongoing focus on evidence-based regulation, consumer protection and responsible agricultural practices. Bringing together scientific assessment, international regulatory considerations and stakeholder consultation, the proposed framework aims to balance food safety priorities with the practical requirements of tea cultivation, while supporting India's wider goal of a transparent and responsive food safety regulatory ecosystem.
The official Gazette Notification is available here: https://egazette.gov.in/(S(i0tkolhyj5o3synuv0wkdfgn))/ViewPDF.aspx