Pesticides

FSSAI emphasises need to prohibit use of pesticides to ensure food safety

Food regulator FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao has asked states to set up inter-ministerial panel for reducing the usage of pesticides with a view to ensure safe food to consumers. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) held its 44th meeting of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) on August 22-23 under the chairmanship of its Chief Executive Officer, according to an official statement on Friday. The meeting saw participation of more than 50 officials, including Commissioners of Food Safety (CFS), representatives from states and Union Territories (UTs), senior officials from FSSAI, and members from the food industry, and agriculture sector. Rao "discussed the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to address concerns over pesticide usage". The FSSAI's CEO proposed that each state should "establish this inter-ministerial committee, which will focus on reducing pesticide use, implementing control measures, and developing strategies to monitor and regulate pestic

Nearly 12% of India's tested spice samples fail quality, safety standards

MDH and Everest have said their products are safe for consumption. Their spices are among the most popular in India - the world's biggest exporter, producer and consumer of spices

EPA issues rare emergency ban on pesticide over fetal harm concerns

For the first time in roughly 40 years, the Environmental Protection Agency used its emergency authority to halt the sale of a weed-killing pesticide that harms the development of unborn babies. Officials took the rare step because the pesticide DCPA, or Dacthal, could cause irreversible damage to fetuses, including impaired brain development and low birthweight. The agency struggled to obtain vital health data from the pesticide's manufacturer on time and decided it was not safe to allow continued sale, EPA said in an announcement Tuesday. In this case, pregnant women who may never know they were exposed could give birth to babies that experience irreversible lifelong health problems, said Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. DCPA is mostly used on broccoli, cabbage and certain other crops and about 84,000 pounds were used on average in 2018 and 2020, officials said. In 2023, the EPA assessed the pesticide's risks

Cancer risk from some pesticides comparable to that due to smoking: Study

The effect of exposure to certain pesticides "rivalled" that of smoking in increasing cancer risk in farmers, according to a US study that compiled 69 such chemicals, including four commonly used in India. Researchers found that for three types of cancer -- non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia and bladder cancer -- the effects of pesticide exposure were "more pronounced" than those of smoking, widely acknowledged as a cancer risk factor. "We present a list of major pesticide contributors for some specific cancers but we highlight strongly that it is the combination of all of them and not just a single one that matters," senior author Isain Zapata, an associate professor at the Rocky Vista University, US, said. The list, compiled in the study published in the journal Frontiers in Cancer Control and Society, features 69 pesticides, including 2,4-D, Acephate, Metolachlor, Methomyl. These four are among many commonly used in India to combat various threats to crop yields, such as insects an

SC notice to Centre on plea alleging overuse of pesticides on crops

The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Centre and others on a plea claiming overuse of pesticides and other chemicals on crops and food items is resulting in deaths across the country. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued notices to the Union government, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and others while seeking their replies to the plea. Senior advocate Anitha Shenoy told the court that the petitioner has collected data from across the country showing a very high number of deaths due to pesticides. The top court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Akash Vashisht. "The use and overuse of pesticides and inorganic chemical substances, including insecticides, weedicides, fungicides, rodenticides, herbicides or any other inorganic chemical substances, on food crops and food items has emerged as the primary and predominant cause of causing cancers and other fatal ...

Sugar in cereals, pesticides in spices; why we struggle to keep food safe

Sugar in baby food is a different challenge, one that has its roots in activist shareholders' demands of a vote on the health impact of Nestle products worldwide

Spice controversy: Norms for pesticide residue stringent, says govt

In India, pesticides are regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC)

Stringent norms adopted for max pesticide residue limit in food items: Govt

The government on Sunday asserted that India has one of the most stringent norms for pesticides residues in food items and rejected reports suggesting that food regulator FSSAI allows high level of residues in spices and herbs. The clarification comes amid a ban imposed by the Hong Kong food regulator on certain spice mix of two leading Indian brands MDH and Everest on alleged presence of pesticide Ethylene Oxide in their samples. The Singapore food regulator too ordered a recall of one spice product of the Everest brand. FSSAI is currently collecting samples of branded spices, including that of MDH and Everest, sold in the domestic markets to ensure they comply with its quality norms. It does not regulate the quality of exported spices. In a statement, the Union Health Ministry clarified that maximum residue limits are different for various food products based on risk assessment. "Some media reports are claiming that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) allows

FSSAI relaxed pesticide norms in April, allowing 10x more residue in spices

Activists had warned against the policy relaxations, pointing to potential health hazards linked to pesticides

Govt committee submits report on banned spice issue, decision pending

The govt is launching an initiative to ensure India's exports meet importing countries' tolerance limits

MDH says its products are 100% safe; rejects pesticide allegation

MDH, a leading spice brand, on Saturday assured consumers that its products are 100 per cent safe and rejected the allegations of the presence of certain pesticides in some products by Hong Kong and Singapore food regulators. Earlier this month, Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety (CFS) said that samples of several kinds of pre-packaged spice-mix products of two Indian brands MDH and Everest were found to contain a pesticide ethylene oxide. The CFS asked consumers not to buy and traders not to sell MDH's Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras curry), Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder. In a statement, MDH said it has not received any communications from Hong Kong and Singapore food safety regulators. In reference to the alleged presence of ETO (ethylene oxide) in some of its products, MDH said that "these claims are untrue and lack any substantiating evidence". "Additionally, we would like to assert that

Govt extends approval for use of drones for spraying pesticides for 1 year

'The drone technology helps in immense water savings along with being a step towards precision agriculture,'

Everest Fish Curry Masala recalled in Singapore for pesticide concerns

Following a Hong Kong alert, Singapore has recalled Everest's fish curry masala due to high levels of ethylene oxide, a pesticide linked to cancer

Everest denies Hong Kong, Singapore ban; Regulator seeks quality check info

The masala-maker company clarified that only one out of its 60 products have been held for examination in Singapore

Spices Board inspects plants of MDH, Everest over alleged contamination

MDH and Everest spices are among the most popular in India and are sold in Europe, Asia and North America. Exports totaled $4 billion in 2022-23, according to the Spices Board, the industry regulator

Hong Kong bans sale of Everest, MDH spice mix over ethylene oxide presence

The Centre for Food Safety said there was the presence of ethylene oxide in MDH Group's madras curry powder, sambhar masala powder, and curry powder

Insecticides (India) Ltd Q3 results: Net profit rises 37% to Rs 17.07 crore

Insecticides (India) Ltd on Monday posted a 37.21 per cent rise in its consolidated profit to Rs 17.07 crore in the December 2023 quarter. The company's profit stood at Rs 12.44 crore in the October-December quarter in the year-ago period, according to a regulatory filing. Total income remained flat at Rs 357.94 crore on a consolidated basis during the third quarter of this fiscal. It posted a total income of Rs 356.53 crore in the same quarter of the previous fiscal. Expenses were at Rs 342.13 crore during the period under review. It stood at Rs 344.54 crore a year ago, the filing said. Shares of the company settled 1.96 per cent higher at Rs 618.55 apiece on the BSE.

FSSAI emphasises adoption of bio-pesticides in tea production

Food regulator FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao on Friday stressed on adoption of bio-pesticides to ensure safety and quality of tea production. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Rao addressed a gathering of tea growers and tea planters during an interactive session held on Friday in Kellyden, Assam. The event saw active participation from key stakeholders, including officials from FSSAI, the Tea Board, Tea Research Institute, tea planters, tea processors, industry associations and Food and Drug Department of the state, the regulator said in a statement. The focal point of the discussion was enhancing traceability and testing measures for raw materials, emphasising the need for screening every batch for pesticide residues and adherence to Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) of pesticides usage as prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards Regulations of 2011 (FSSR). "Rao emphasised the importance of adopting bio-pesticides and encouraged collaboration with the Tea .

IPL Biologicals to set up facility in Gujarat with Rs 400 crore investment

Agro biological company IPL Biologicals on Wednesday said it has inked a pact with the Gujarat government to set up a facility with an investment of Rs 400 crore. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government agency, Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission, in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. It seeks to set up "a state-of-the-art biofertilisers, bio pesticides, biofungicide, microbial growth promoter facility in the region," the company said in a statement. "The investment of Rs 400 crore underscores IPL's commitment to promoting eco-friendly farming practices and enhancing soil and environmental health," it said. The company believes the MoU with the state government aligns with the national goal of adopting organic and sustainable practices by 2030, the statement said. Its new facility will contribute to sustainable agriculture, it added. "The major focus of the first phase of production will be on...agriculture products, followed by ...

Pesticide industry opposes Maharashtra draft Bill on aid to farmers

The draft Bill has been put up for public consultation by the state government