FSSAI proposes 20 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg residue limits for tea pesticides
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biotechnology & health research· Prelims·
Food safety and pesticide regulation: a relevant GS3 topic regarding public health and agricultural standards.
Why in news
FSSAI proposed maximum residue limits for acetamiprid and imidacloprid in tea to ensure food safety and facilitate compliance with safety standards.
Background
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) proposed limits of 20 mg/kg for acetamiprid and 50 mg/kg for imidacloprid in tea. The proposal is part of the draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyFSSAI: The primary body responsible for regulating food safety and standards in India.
- FactProposed residue limit for acetamiprid in tea: 20 mg/kg.
- FactProposed residue limit for imidacloprid in tea: 50 mg/kg.
- FactIndia's average pesticide use: below 0.5 kg per hectare.
Prelims practice question
What is India's average pesticide use per hectare as mentioned in the note?
- (a)Above 1.5 kg
- (b)Below 0.5 kg
- (c)Exactly 1 kg
- (d)Below 2.0 kg
Show answer
Answer: (b) Below 0.5 kg — The note states that India's average pesticide use is below 0.5 kg per hectare.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the challenges in regulating pesticide residues in agricultural produce and the importance of establishing maximum residue limits for public health.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Regulatory oversight: Balancing agricultural productivity with stringent food safety standards for export and domestic consumption.
- Monitoring bottleneck: Difficulty in real-time tracking of pesticide runoff and soil accumulation in tea plantations.
Keywords: Maximum Residue Limits · Food Safety Standards · Pesticide Regulation · Public Health · Compliance
More Science & Technology notes
- Human Genome Project reveals only 2 percent of 3 billion DNA blocks are genes · 17 October 2026
- Water makes microplastics chemically active, causing hemolysis in mouse red blood cells · 17 October 2026
- BIPM to stop issuing leap seconds by May 2027 to avoid negative risks · 17 October 2026
- ISRO completes Crew Module-Service Module separation tests for Gaganyaan mission · 16 October 2026
- CCMB director and student develop genetic toolkit to track Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteins · 16 October 2026
- Indian Navy commissions INS Samarthak with over 75% indigenous content to test sensors · 16 October 2026
Something wrong, or something missing?
Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.
This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.