Pesticides are important inputs for crop protection and sustaining production by managing the pests in crops during the cultivation and post harvest storage practices. Care should be taken to ensure that they do not exceed the maximum permissible limits allowed in food commodities.

The presence of pesticide residues in food is a major concern for consumer safety and food trade. Many developed and developing countries fix their own Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of pesticides on Raw Agricultural Commodities (RAC) based on their country specific Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and dietary consumption pattern. 

The Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) are fixed by FSSAI on the basis of data generated through supervised field trials and risk analysis.

Earlier through a letter dated 11th January, FSSAI has clarified regarding the tolerance limit of insecticide for which the MRL’s have not been fixed.

FSSAI has recently issued a draft guidance document and standard operating procedure for fixing of MRL’s of pesticides in food. 

Read the complete procedure here.