What Exactly Is Changing?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially proposed new Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for two commonly used pesticides in tea cultivation. In a draft notification published on October 16, 2026, the regulator set new proposed ceilings
for Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid, two insecticides used to protect tea plants from pests like the tea mosquito bug and aphids. Specifically, the proposed MRL for Acetamiprid is 20 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), and for Imidacloprid, it is 50 mg/kg. These are draft regulations, meaning they are open for public and industry feedback for 60 days before being finalised, but they signal a clear direction from the government.
Why New Rules and Why Now?
This move is driven by a push to protect consumer health and bring tea sold within India up to a higher standard. For years, a disparity has existed: tea destined for export to strict markets like the European Union often had to meet more rigorous pesticide standards than tea sold domestically. Several Indian tea consignments have been rejected by other countries due to high chemical residues, highlighting this gap. The FSSAI's proposal aims to create a unified, science-based benchmark for all tea, ensuring that the cup consumed in a local dhaba is subject to the same safety considerations as the one shipped overseas. Currently, the absence of specific MRLs for these two approved pesticides has created ambiguity, sometimes leading to a 'zero tolerance' enforcement where even trace amounts could flag a batch as non-compliant, causing chaos for growers.
The Challenge for Tea Growers
While a win for consumers, these new rules present a significant challenge for India's tea growers, especially the small tea growers (STGs) who contribute over half of the country's total production. Many small farmers operate on thin margins and may lack the resources and technical know-how to immediately comply with stricter regulations. The pressure to protect crops from pests often leads to the use of available chemical pesticides. The industry now faces the task of adapting its pest management practices, which may involve investing in approved, often more expensive, alternatives and ensuring rigorous testing. The new rules have been met with hope by small growers, as it provides clarity over the previous 'zero tolerance' confusion, but the transition will require support, guidance, and access to affordable testing facilities.
A Stricter Standard for a Safer Sip
Interestingly, India's proposed limit for Acetamiprid (20 ppm) is stricter than the standards in some other major economies. Japan's limit is 30 ppm, and the United States' is 50 ppm. The proposed limit for Imidacloprid has been formulated with reference to international Codex standards, which serve as a global benchmark for food safety. This demonstrates a clear intent by Indian regulators to not just meet but, in some cases, exceed international norms for domestic products. An MRL itself is not a measure of the pesticide present in a final cup of tea but the maximum legally permitted level in the raw commodity. Establishing these clear, science-based limits is a crucial step towards ensuring that the entire supply chain, from the garden to the glass, is held to a higher safety standard.
