The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a mandate for the testing of banned pesticides in tea. This direction was issued on March 5, 2024.
The directive, addressed to all notified laboratories specifically lists the pesticides to be tested. These pesticides include:
- Cypermethrin,
- Acephate,
- Imidacloprid,
- Acetamiprid,
- Dinotefuran, and
- Fipronil.
Testing for these specified pesticides is to be conducted in addition to the 20 banned pesticides and pesticides already specified for tea under the FSS (Contaminants, Toxins, and Residues) regulations, 2011.
Furthermore, the directive stipulates a tolerance limit of 0.01 mg/kg for the aforementioned six pesticides/insecticides.
This move by FSSAI underscores the commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of tea consumed by citizens, thereby safeguarding public health. Compliance with these testing regulations is essential for maintaining the integrity of tea products and upholding food safety standards across the industry.
