Regulation of Pesticide Residues in Food in India

Increased agricultural productivity requires constant application of pesticides. Residues at low levels, from the usage of most of these pesticides end up in food supply either through direct application on crops or via soil, water and air. The use of pesticides on fodder crops, or on crops of which apart can go for animal feed and for the control of ectoparasites, result in residues in food stuffs of animal origin. It is widely believed that consumers may be exposed continuously to one or more pesticides in their diet. The appraisal of risk to consumers from pesticide residues in food commodities has been practiced by national regulatory authorities for many years and since 1963 there has been international guidance through FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) to supplement these national efforts. From the supervised field trials maximum residue limits (MRLs) are derived for individual pesticides in food and feed. The concept of setting the MRL is that if a pesticide is used according to recommendations, resulting residues in the crop should not exceed the MRL. Acceptable daily intake (ADI) provides a 'bridge' between the toxicological properties of a compound and maximum residue levels observed and after careful scrutiny of relevant factors, the MRL is accepted nationally in registration procedures or recommended internationally. Pesticide residues in food in India are regulated under the 'Insecticide Act. 1968' and the 'Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954'. In India, the residues of pesticides on different crops are evaluated under "All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues" funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). On the basis of the data generated from these supervised field trails, suitable waiting periods are recommended for the safety of the consumers. Beside supervised field trials, regular monitoring of pesticide residues in biotic and abiotic components of the environment is envisaged as a part of the central sector scheme "Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National Level". The main aim of this project is to evaluate the frequency and magnitude of pesticide residues in food commodities moving in trade.