Pesticide Residue in Fruits and Vegetables: Government Data Reveals MRL Violations and Food Safety Insights

Addressing food safety concerns in Parliament, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan shared comprehensive data on pesticide residue monitoring in fruits and vegetables across India.

Key Highlights:
- Monitoring and Findings: Under the MPRNL project, 70,652 samples were tested across 23 states and union territories from 2023 to 2026, with 2,223 samples (3.1%) exceeding the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) set by FSSAI.
- Understanding MRL: The threshold ensures that chemical residues remain within safe, scientifically accepted limits, though experts emphasize that washing produce and promoting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are essential.
- Broader Agricultural Updates: The report also touched upon digital crop estimation surveys (DGCES), the withdrawal of the Draft Sugarcane (Control) Order 2026, export-import trends in fruits and vegetables, and efforts to boost domestic edible oil and natural rubber production.