FSSAI Drafts New Maximum Residue Limits for Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid in Tea: Comprehensive Regulatory Analysis

The regulatory landscape governing food safety in India is undergoing a significant update, particularly concerning the agricultural and plantation sectors. In a decisive move to strengthen consumer protection and standardize quality control, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released a crucial draft notification. Dated 15 October 2026, this notification proposes specific amendments to the established Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.

Published officially in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026 under the reference F. No. SS-T0SP02(NOTI)/1/2025-Standard-FSSAI, the draft introduces stringent Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for two widely used pesticides—Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid—specifically within tea products. This proposed regulatory shift holds substantial implications for the entire tea supply chain, encompassing estate owners, processors, domestic traders, and international exporters.

The Statutory Framework and Regulatory Authority

The FSSAI derives its rule-making authority from the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The current draft notification has been promulgated under the specific statutory powers granted by clauses (i) and (j) of Section 92(2) of the Act. These clauses empower the regulatory body to formulate regulations concerning food safety standards, including the permissible limits of contaminants, toxins, and agrochemical residues.

Furthermore, the publication of this draft for public consultation is a mandatory procedural requirement mandated by Section 92(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This section dictates that any proposed regulations must be made available for review by individuals and entities likely to be affected, ensuring a democratic and transparent legislative process before final enactment. The central government has already granted its preliminary approval for these proposed changes, paving the way for the current stakeholder consultation phase.

Detailed Breakdown of the Proposed Amendments

The core of the draft notification focuses on amending Regulation 2.3 of the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011, which specifically deals with "Residues." Within this section, sub-regulation 2.3.1 contains a comprehensive table detailing the permissible limits of various chemical residues across different food categories.

The FSSAI proposes to insert new parameters into this existing table, directly targeting tea products. The specific modifications are as follows:

1. Acetamiprid Limits

Acetamiprid is a systemic insecticide frequently utilized in agriculture to control sucking insects. Under the proposed regulatory update:

  • A new entry will be inserted against serial number 3 in the regulatory table, which corresponds to Acetamiprid.
  • The prescribed Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) for Acetamiprid in tea is proposed to be capped at 20 mg/kg.