The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has tested over 86,000 food commodity samples across the country between 2022 and 2025 to check for the presence of pesticide residues. Out of these, 2.8% were found to contain pesticide levels above the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulation, 2011.
The data was shared in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, in a written reply. He explained that FSSAI determines the MRLs for pesticides on food commodities only after conducting detailed scientific risk assessments, ensuring they are safe for public consumption.
To monitor pesticide levels effectively, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has been funding the “Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level” (MPRNL) project. Under this initiative, food samples are collected from across the country, covering a wide range of commodities such as vegetables, fruits, spices, cereals, pulses, herbs, fish and marine products, meat and eggs, tea, and milk.
A total of 35 participating laboratories are involved in the collection process. Once collected, the samples are sent to National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited testing facilities, where they are analysed for the possible presence of harmful pesticide residues.
In addition to the MPRNL project, FSSAI also carries out nationwide monthly surveillance drives to assess compliance with food safety regulations. These drives play a key role in identifying non-compliant food products and taking necessary enforcement actions to protect consumers.
The findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring and stricter adherence to safety standards, as even a small percentage of samples exceeding MRLs could pose long-term health risks to consumers if left unchecked.
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