The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive under Section 16(5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, regarding the implementation of maximum residue limits (MRL) for pesticides used in tea.
On August 20th, 2020, the FSSAI notified the draft FSS (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2020, which included the revision of MRLs for pesticides used in tea and other crops and commodities. While these regulations are still being reviewed, the FSSAI has received requests and determined that five commonly used pesticides – Emamectin Benzoate, Fenpyroximate, Hexaconazole, Propiconazole, and Quinalphos – have had their MRLs increased based on data from the draft notification.
Therefore, the FSSAI has decided to immediately implement the revised MRLs for these five pesticides in tea. The maximum residue limits for each pesticide are: Emamectin Benzoate – 0.06 mg/kg, Fenpyroximate – 6.0 mg/kg, Hexaconazole – 5.0 mg/kg, Propiconazole – 6.0 mg/kg, and Quinalphos – 0.7 mg/kg.
This directive has been issued with the approval of the competent authority, exercising its powers under Section 18(2)(d) read with 16(5) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The FSSAI’s directive regarding the operationalization of MRLs for pesticides used in tea is an important step towards ensuring the safety and quality of tea in India. With the revised MRLs for these commonly used pesticides, it is expected that tea growers and manufacturers will be more mindful of the pesticides they use and the residues they leave behind. This, in turn, will lead to safer and healthier tea products for consumers.
The FSSAI has been working towards regulating and monitoring the use of pesticides in food products, including tea. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, gives the FSSAI the authority to establish regulations related to contaminants, toxins, and residues in food products. By issuing this directive, the FSSAI is ensuring that tea products comply with the established standards, and consumers can have greater confidence in the safety of the products they consume.
It is important to note that the FSSAI’s directive is only related to the operationalization of MRLs for these five pesticides in tea. The FSSAI is likely to issue further regulations and directives related to pesticides and other contaminants in tea and other food products. As such, tea growers and manufacturers should continue to stay abreast of the latest regulations and best practices to ensure the safety and quality of their products.
Leave a Reply