FSSAI increased the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of pesticides in herbs and spices | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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    FSSAI increased the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of pesticides in herbs and spices

    Posted 25 Apr 2024

    2 min read

    • The latest order from Food Safety Standards Authority of India  (FSSAI) has increased the MRL of pesticides from 0.01 mg/kg to 0.1 mg/kg.

     

    • About MRL
      • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defined MRL as the highest legally tolerable level of pesticide in food or animal feed.
      • Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) sets MRLs for pesticides in food and feed crops for food safety and  international trade.
        • It was established jointly by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1963.

     

    • Indian Scenario of MRL
      • MRL s in India are specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulation, 2011 by the FSSAI.
      • They are fixed based on the field trial data received through the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC)  under the Ministry of Agriculture.

     

    • Issues with increasing the MRL
      • Can lead to ingestion of more pesticides into the human body, Can lead to ban on export of Indian food items due to the high pesticide residue, etc.

     

    • Way forward 
      • Bringing more transparency in field trial data, can register more pesticides under CIBRC, etc.

     

    About FSSAI

    • Established: Statutory Authority established under Food Safety and Standards Act,2006
    • Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
    • Role: Laying down science based standards for articles of food and regulating their manufacture, store, distribution and sale.
    • Tags :
    • Codex Standards
    • Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI)
    • maximum residue limit
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