The Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) instructed all notified laboratories regarding the testing of these newly added 6 pesticides in tea samples, on March 5, 2024.
The directive is directed toward all notified laboratories notified under sections 43 (1) and 43 (2) of the FSS Act, 2006. Provides a detailed list of the specific pesticides that need to be tested. The pesticides mentioned in this list are as follows:
- Cypermethrin
- Acephate
- Imidacloprid
- Acetamiprid
- Dinotefuran
- Fipronil
In addition to the 20 banned pesticides and the pesticides already specified for tea under the FSS (Contaminants, Toxins, and Residues) Regulations, 2011, testing for these specified pesticides is required to be carried out.
FSSAI on 19th March, 2018, published the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, toxins and Residues) first Amendment Regulations, 2018, thereby banning the use of 20 pesticides (attached at Annexure-1) as per the Insecticides Act, 1968 (46 of 1968).
1 Aldicarb (sum of Aldicarb its sulphoxide and sulphone)
2 Aldrin, Dieldrin
3 Chlordane (Total of α- and β-chlordane)
4 Heptachlor ( heptachlor metabolite, heptachlor epoxide)
5 Lindane (Gamma (γ) HCH), Alpha HCH, Beta HCH & delta-HCH)
6 Endosulfan (Total of alpha endosulfan & beta endosulfan and endosulfan sulphate)
7 Carbofuran
8 Methomyl
9 Phosphamidon
10 Captafol
11 Ferbam
12 Formothion
13 Simazine
14 Diazinon
15 D.D.T
16 Fenitrothion
17 Fenthion (sum of fenthion, its oxygen analogue and their sulphoxides and Sulphones)
18 Methyl Parathion (Methyl Parathion and its oxygen analogue i.e. methyl paraoxon)
19 Ethyl Parathion (Ethyl Parathion and its oxygen analogue i.e. ethyl paraoxon)
20 Monocrotophos
Additionally, the regulation specifies a tolerance threshold of 0.01 mg/kg for the six pesticides/insecticides mentioned earlier.
The action taken by FSSAI highlights the dedication to guaranteeing the safety and excellence of tea that people consume, ultimately protecting public health. Adherence to these testing guidelines is crucial in preserving the authenticity of tea items and enforcing food safety measures throughout the sector.
Click here to see the official notification
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