Through an order dated 6 May, 2019 the FSSAI has superseded its earlier order of October 2018, wherein it had issued the MRLs for testing of glyphosate in imported pulses. Since FSSAI had not set its own limits for testing glyphosate in imported pulses, therefore it had ordered the use of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) specifications for testing the herbicide glyphosate in imported pulses until such time as FSSAI had specified its own limits.
The FSSAI had stated in its October order that there is a possibility of higher levels of residues of the herbicide “Glyphosate” in pulses which could adversely affect the health of consumers. Therefore, the FSSAI has directed the Authorised Officers to instruct laboratories to test for the presence of herbicide ‘Glyphosate” along with other parameters when the samples for pulses are forwarded for testing. The FSSAI had also specified that testing would be as per Codex limit for beans, lentils, peas and soya beans
Through this new order the FSSAI has superseded its previous order by the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, toxins and Residues) third Amendment Regulations 2018, wherein it has been mentioned that the tolerance limit of 0.01 mg/kg shall apply in cases of pesticides for which MRL has not been mentioned. Hence FSSAI has superseded the previous October 2018 order and it will no longer be in force. This means that the Codex MRLs will no longer be used to measure glyphosate in imported pulses.
In the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, toxins and Residues) third Amendment Regulations 2018, the MRL for 219 insecticides limitsfor various foods have been specified. The insecticide names are in alphabetical order and so it is easy to check the names and MRL on specific foods.
Glyphosate is numbered at 95 on the list and the limits for specific foods are as follows:
S.N Name of the Insecticide Foods Maximum Residue Limit
95. Glyphosate Tea 1
Meat and Meat products 0.05
Rice 0.01
Under NOTE: the amendment regulation has stated that Tolerance limit of 0.01mg/kg shall apply in cases of pesticides for which MRL has not been fixed. Therefore, as per this amendment the MRL for glyphosate in pulses will be tested for a limit of upto 0.01 ml/kg.
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