FSSAI proposes tighter pesticide limits for tea, capping acetamiprid at 20 ppm

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has proposed maximum residue limits of 20 ppm for acetamiprid and 50 ppm for imidacloprid in tea. The limits appear in the draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026 and were announced in a central‑government release on 17 October 2026. The proposal aims to give tea growers, processors, food businesses, testing labs and enforcement agencies clear benchmarks for pesticide residues, easing compliance, monitoring and enforcement. The 20 ppm ceiling for acetamiprid is lower than Japan’s limit of 30 ppm and the United States’ limit of 50 ppm, while the 50 ppm ceiling for imidacloprid follows the Codex Alimentarius reference values. A government statement said that maximum residue limits are set after scientific assessment of residue data, dietary exposure and safety considerations. The release also noted that India’s average pesticide use in agriculture is under 0.5 kg per hectare, well below the global average of 2.38 kg per hectare and lower than levels in Colombia, Brazil and the United States. The draft regulations will be finalised after further consultation before becoming enforceable. ## Context India’s tea sector supplies a large share of domestic consumption and a growing export market, so clear residue limits help protect consumer health and support trade by meeting international safety expectations.