What is the FSSAI Proposing?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put forward a draft amendment to regulate the amount of pesticide residue allowed in tea sold within the country. Published in mid-October 2026, the proposal sets new Maximum Residue Limits
(MRLs) for two commonly used pesticides: Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid. An MRL is the highest legally permissible concentration of a pesticide residue in a food product. The proposed limit for Acetamiprid is 20 parts per million (ppm), while the cap for Imidacloprid is suggested at 50 ppm. This move is part of a broader push by the FSSAI to create clearer, science-based benchmarks for food safety that everyone—from farmers to regulators—can follow.
Balancing Health and Global Standards
The primary driver for these new caps is consumer health and aligning Indian standards with international practices. Tea is often called a 'health beverage' for its antioxidant properties, and ensuring it is free from harmful residues is a key priority. The FSSAI noted that its proposal for Acetamiprid is stricter than the limits in some major developed countries; for instance, Japan's MRL is 30 ppm and the United States' is 50 ppm. For Imidacloprid, the proposed Indian limit refers to international Codex standards, which serve as a global reference for food safety. By tightening these norms, regulators aim to boost consumer confidence and ensure the tea consumed domestically is as safe as the tea exported to markets with stringent rules. This also helps in maintaining India's reputation as a quality tea producer on the global stage.
Concerns from the Tea Gardens
While the push for safer tea is widely supported, the proposal has raised significant concerns within the tea industry. Tea growers, especially the millions of smallholders who form the backbone of the industry, argue that pesticides like Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid are essential for protecting their crops from destructive pests. The industry fears that lowering the residue limits too drastically or too quickly could make effective pest control difficult, potentially leading to significant crop losses and reduced income. They argue that the unique agro-climatic conditions in India necessitate the use of certain approved pesticides to maintain yields. The United Planters' Association of Southern India (UPASI) and other industry bodies have consistently highlighted the need for regulations that are practical to implement on the ground, warning that unfeasible standards could hurt the economic viability of tea cultivation.
The Practical Challenges
The debate isn't just about which pesticides to use, but how they are used. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), including proper timing of pesticide application and observing a safe Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI), are crucial to keeping residues within limits. However, implementing these practices uniformly across millions of tea gardens, many of which are small and have limited resources, is a massive challenge. Industry representatives point out that there needs to be a balance between setting ambitious safety goals and the practical reality of farming. Abruptly changing the rules without providing viable, cost-effective alternatives for pest management could put growers in a difficult position, forcing them to choose between protecting their crops and complying with new regulations.
What Happens Next?
The proposed limits are not yet final. The FSSAI has released the regulations as a draft, opening a window for feedback from all stakeholders. This consultation period is a critical phase where tea growers' associations, scientists, consumer groups, and the Tea Board of India can present their data, arguments, and concerns. The FSSAI will consider this feedback before finalising and officially notifying the new MRLs. The outcome will determine the future regulatory landscape for India's most beloved beverage, seeking to strike a delicate balance between the health of 1.4 billion people and the livelihood of millions in the tea sector.
