Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid

Why in News?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed revised maximum residue limits (MRLs) for two pesticides—Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid—in tea. The proposed limits were published in the draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026, in the Gazette of India on October 16, 2026.

Key Proposals

Pesticide	Proposed MRL in tea
Acetamiprid	20 mg/kg (20 ppm)
Imidacloprid	50 mg/kg (50 ppm)

These are proposed limits and remain subject to finalisation of the draft regulations.

What Are Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)?

• Definition: MRLs are the maximum permitted concentrations of pesticide residues in or on food commodities, established under applicable regulatory standards.
• Purpose: They provide benchmarks for monitoring pesticide residues and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
• Scientific basis: Their determination considers scientific assessments, authorised agricultural practices and relevant international standards.

About the Two Pesticides

• Acetamiprid: An insecticide used to control insect pests in crops.
• Imidacloprid: A neonicotinoid insecticide used to control a range of insect pests in agriculture.

International Comparison

• Acetamiprid: India’s proposed limit of 20 ppm is lower than the corresponding limits cited in the proposal for Japan (30 ppm) and the United States (50 ppm).
• Imidacloprid: The proposed limit has been formulated with reference to international Codex standards.

About FSSAI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It functions under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and is responsible for laying down science-based food standards and regulating the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food to ensure its safety.

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