What is the Proposed Change?
In mid-October 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced draft regulations to set new Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for two specific pesticides used in tea cultivation. The pesticides in question are acetamiprid and imidacloprid,
both insecticides used to protect tea plants from pests. The proposal suggests a cap of 20 parts per million (ppm) for acetamiprid and 50 ppm for imidacloprid. These are not yet final rules; FSSAI has opened them for a 60-day consultation period for stakeholders to provide feedback.
Why Are These Rules Being Proposed Now?
This move is part of a broader effort by FSSAI to create clear, science-based standards for food safety in India. For a long time, the regulation around some pesticides has been ambiguous. For instance, even though the Central Insecticides Board approved acetamiprid and imidacloprid for use in tea cultivation, FSSAI had not set specific MRLs for them. This created a 'zero-tolerance' situation where any detectable trace (as low as 0.01 ppm) could lead to a tea batch being flagged as non-compliant. The new proposals aim to replace this ambiguity with clear, enforceable benchmarks that provide clarity for growers, manufacturers, and testing labs.
The Argument for Stricter Standards
The core of the issue is public health. Tea is a unique crop because its leaves undergo minimal processing before they end up in our cups, meaning pesticide residues can easily be transferred into the final beverage. Health advocates and consumers have long raised concerns about the presence of chemicals in such a widely consumed product. In the past, studies have found residues of various pesticides in branded Indian teas, some of which were not even approved for use on tea crops. Setting clear and scientifically validated limits is seen as a crucial step in safeguarding consumer health and ensuring the tea we drink is safe.
How Does This Affect Tea Growers?
For tea growers, especially small tea growers (STGs) who contribute to more than half of India's tea production, the regulatory landscape has been challenging. The previous 'zero-tolerance' ambiguity for these pesticides put immense pressure on them. Bought Leaf Factories (BLFs), which process the raw leaves, often shifted the compliance burden entirely onto growers, sometimes refusing to buy leaves without costly lab certifications. The new, clearly defined MRLs are seen by many in the industry as a positive step. They offer a realistic target to aim for, rather than an unachievable 'zero'. This is expected to ease the crisis for many growers whose batches were previously rejected for containing minuscule, but detectable, traces of these approved pesticides.
How Do India's Proposals Compare Globally?
It's useful to see these proposed numbers in a global context. The suggested limit for acetamiprid (20 ppm) is notably stricter than the limits in Japan (30 ppm) and the United States (50 ppm). The proposed limit for imidacloprid (50 ppm) has been framed with reference to international Codex standards, which serve as a global benchmark for food safety. This indicates that FSSAI is aiming to align with, and in some cases exceed, international safety standards. This is also important for India's export market, as international buyers often have stringent requirements for pesticide residues.
What This Means for Your Daily Chai
So, should you be worried about your current cup of tea? FSSAI's proposal is not a reason to panic. Instead, it's a regulatory step toward greater transparency and safety in the long run. An MRL is a legal limit for enforcement; it doesn't mean that all tea currently contains these levels of pesticides. The goal is to ensure that even the highest possible residue from approved farming practices remains well within a safe margin for consumers. These proposed rules, if finalized, will give regulators a stronger tool to monitor the tea supply chain and ensure the product reaching your kitchen meets consistent safety standards.
