FSSAI’s new pesticide residue limits for tea: What consumers and industry need to know
FSSAI has proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) of 20 ppm for acetamiprid and 50 ppm for imidacloprid in tea, with the draft regulations open for stakeholder consultation
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed new maximum residue limits (MRLs) for two pesticides – acetamiprid and imidacloprid – in tea, marking another step in the country's ongoing review of food safety standards. The proposed limits are intended to provide clearer regulatory benchmarks for pesticide residues and strengthen monitoring across the tea supply chain.
Under the draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on October 16, FSSAI has proposed an MRL of 20 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), or parts per million (ppm), for acetamiprid and 50 mg/kg for imidacloprid in tea. The draft regulations are open to stakeholder consultation and are subject to finalisation.
For consumers, the key distinction is that these are proposed regulatory limits, not finalised standards. An MRL specifies the maximum legally permitted pesticide residue concentration in a food commodity. It does not, by itself, indicate the amount of pesticide a person consumes in a cup of tea or establish the health risk from a particular residue level.
How India's proposed limits compare internationally
The proposed acetamiprid limit of 20 ppm is lower than the corresponding limits of 30 ppm in Japan and 50 ppm in the United States, according to the information accompanying the proposal. The proposed imidacloprid limit has been framed with reference to international Codex standards.
Such comparisons provide context for India's regulatory approach, but they should be interpreted carefully. Different countries may set residue limits based on crop-specific agricultural practices, authorised pesticide uses, residue studies and regulatory assessments. A lower MRL does not automatically mean that a country's tea is safer, just as a higher limit does not necessarily mean that a product poses a health risk.
The significance of the proposed Indian standards will depend on the scientific evidence underpinning them, the applicable enforcement framework and the final regulations notified by the food safety authority.
What does this mean for tea drinkers?
For households, tea remains a widely consumed everyday product, making effective residue monitoring an important part of food safety oversight. Clearly defined limits can help food businesses and enforcement agencies assess compliance and identify products that do not meet prescribed standards.
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However, consumers should not interpret the proposal as evidence that tea currently available in the market is unsafe. Nor does the announcement establish that all tea products contain either pesticide. Actual residue levels vary depending on cultivation practices, pesticide application, processing and other factors.
Consumers can continue to make informed purchasing decisions by choosing products from reputable manufacturers, checking packaging and following official food safety advisories. The draft proposal does not, on its own, warrant a change in normal tea-drinking habits.
Implications for growers and the tea industry
For tea growers, processors, exporters and testing laboratories, the proposed limits could provide greater clarity on compliance requirements once the rules are finalised. The industry may need to assess pesticide-use practices, testing protocols and supply-chain controls against the eventual standards.
Pesticides play a role in managing crop pests and limiting agricultural losses. Regulation therefore involves balancing effective pest management with the need to protect consumers and ensure compliance with food safety requirements. Farmers may require appropriate guidance on authorised pesticide use, application practices and residue management to meet evolving standards without unnecessarily increasing production costs.
The proposal also forms part of a broader regulatory review. Earlier measures included the delisting of 13 pesticides identified as having higher toxicity, according to the information accompanying the announcement.
Draft limits await final notification
FSSAI's draft amendment reflects an approach that combines scientific assessment, international regulatory references and stakeholder consultation. The final outcome will matter to consumers seeking confidence in food safety as well as businesses preparing for compliance.
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India's average pesticide use is reported at less than 0.5 kg per hectare, compared with an estimated global average of 2.38 kg per hectare. However, overall pesticide-use figures alone cannot establish the safety of a specific food product; commodity-level residue monitoring and dietary exposure assessments remain important.
For now, the proposed limits represent a regulatory step rather than a completed change in the law. Consumers and industry participants should look to the final Gazette notification for the enforceable requirements.
