The Concern in Your Cup
Tea is an agricultural product, and like many crops, it is vulnerable to pests. To protect their plants and yields, growers often use pesticides. The concern is that tiny amounts of these chemicals, known as residues, can remain on the tea leaves that are
eventually processed, packaged, and steeped in our mugs. While pesticides are crucial for managing crop losses, their presence in food products is a public health issue, which is why regulatory bodies set Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). An MRL is the highest legally permissible level of a pesticide residue in a food commodity. These limits are set based on scientific assessments to ensure that the food is safe for consumption.
FSSAI's New Regulatory Clarity
In October 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published draft regulations proposing new MRLs for two commonly used pesticides in tea cultivation: acetamiprid and imidacloprid. Under the proposal, the limit for acetamiprid would be set at 20 parts per million (ppm), and the limit for imidacloprid at 50 ppm. This move is significant because, previously, the absence of specific MRLs for these approved pesticides created a regulatory grey area. Without a defined limit, any detectable trace (as low as 0.01 ppm) could lead to a batch of tea being flagged as non-compliant, causing uncertainty for growers and processors. The new draft rules provide a clear, science-based benchmark for everyone in the supply chain.
Why This Change Was Needed
The push for these new norms came from a need to resolve long-standing ambiguity that affected growers, particularly small tea growers (STGs). Associations representing STGs had pointed out that while these pesticides were approved for use, the lack of a corresponding MRL from FSSAI created a 'zero-tolerance' situation by default. This meant that green leaf batches could be rejected by factories even if they contained minuscule, otherwise safe, levels of these chemicals. The proposed limits aim to end this crisis by aligning the safety standards with the approved agricultural practices, providing much-needed relief and operational clarity to the tea industry, especially smaller players who form a critical part of the ecosystem.
Aligning with Global Standards
The FSSAI's proposal is part of a broader effort to periodically review and update food safety standards in line with scientific data and international practices. The new draft MRL 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 has been formulated with reference to the international Codex standards, a collection of food standards and guidelines recognised globally. This approach helps balance the needs of Indian agriculture with globally accepted safety benchmarks, ensuring that Indian tea remains competitive and trusted in international markets while safeguarding domestic consumers.
A Safer Sip, But Enforcement Is Key
For the average tea drinker, these new regulations are a welcome step toward enhanced safety and transparency. By setting clear and scientifically validated limits, the FSSAI is strengthening the framework for monitoring the tea that reaches our homes. However, the proposal is currently in a draft stage, open for public and stakeholder comments before it is finalised. The ultimate effectiveness of these new norms will depend on rigorous enforcement, including regular testing of tea samples from across the country. It also highlights the need for continued support and guidance for tea growers on best practices for pesticide use to ensure they can meet these standards consistently.
