Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has dismissed the claims that it has permitted high pesticide residue in Indian herbs and species and termed the reports floating on the internet as false and malicious. The food safety authority was reacting to reports claiming that FSSAI allows 10 times more pesticide residue in herbs and spices.
“|It is clarified that India has one of the most stringent standards of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in the world and MRLs of pesticides are fixed differently for different food commodities based on their risk assessments,” a statement from FSSAI said.
A stir ensued following the discovery by the Center for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong of ethylene oxide, a banned pesticide, in pre-packaged spice products sourced from MDH and Everest.
FSSAI also clarified that MRLs for pesticides are established based on comprehensive risk assessments conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee, established under the Insecticide Act, 1968.
