What India Is Proposing
In October 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) unveiled draft regulations that would set new Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for two specific pesticides in tea. An MRL is the highest legally tolerated level of a pesticide residue
on a food product. The proposal sets a limit of 20 parts per million (ppm) for Acetamiprid and 50 ppm for Imidacloprid, two insecticides used in agriculture. This move is part of a broader review by FSSAI to align its food safety standards with scientific assessments, agricultural needs, and international practices. The regulations are currently in a draft phase and open for public and industry feedback before being finalised.
The Global Gold Standard: The European Union
The European Union is widely regarded as having some of the most restrictive food safety laws globally, and its pesticide regulations for tea are no exception. The EU operates on a 'precautionary principle', meaning if a substance hasn't been conclusively proven safe for a specific use, it is restricted. This results in a very short list of pesticides approved for use on tea plants. For any pesticide without a specific MRL for tea, a default low limit of 0.01 mg/kg is applied, which is so strict it effectively functions as a ban. This forces tea producers targeting the EU market to adopt advanced agricultural practices to ensure their products are compliant, as even minor contamination can lead to rejection. The standards for the specific pesticides in FSSAI's proposal, Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid, would be significantly lower in the EU than what India has proposed for its domestic market.
How Other Major Markets Compare
International standards for pesticides are not uniform, as each country sets limits based on its own agricultural practices, climate, and risk assessments. According to information from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India’s proposed limit of 20 ppm for Acetamiprid is stricter than the standards in two other major markets: Japan (30 ppm) and the United States (50 ppm). For Imidacloprid, the proposed 50 ppm limit has been formulated with reference to the international Codex Alimentarius standards, which serve as a global baseline for food trade. The Codex, a joint body of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, sets MRLs to ensure food is safe and to facilitate fair international trade, though individual nations can and often do set their own, often stricter, limits.
Why Do These Standards Vary So Much?
A higher or lower MRL does not automatically mean a product is more or less safe. These limits are regulatory tools, not direct toxicological thresholds for human health. They are established based on Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) data, which determines the minimum quantity of pesticide needed to protect a crop. Regulators then conduct risk assessments based on the country's average consumption of that food item. For instance, a country where tea consumption is very high might set a stricter limit to reduce overall exposure, even if the pesticide itself is not considered highly toxic. The opposite can also be true. Different scientific interpretations and national agricultural priorities all contribute to this complex global patchwork of regulations.
The Dilemma for India's Tea Industry
For the Indian tea industry, navigating these varied standards presents a significant challenge. Exporters must produce tea that meets the stringent requirements of markets like the EU, while the domestic market operates under a different set of rules. The Tea Board of India has been working to promote Integrated Pest Management and adherence to a 'Plant Protection Code' to help growers use pesticides judiciously and comply with both national and international standards. The goal is to ensure the safety and quality of Indian tea for all consumers, safeguard the environment, and maintain the industry's competitiveness on the global stage. These proposed FSSAI rules aim to provide clearer benchmarks for growers, processors, and testing labs across the country.
