Question : Use of Raw Material in FPI

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the fact that the raw materials supplied to the food processing industries contain residues of toxins such as insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, weedicides etc. and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has any rules/regulations to prescribe minimum standards for raw materials used in the food processing industries and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether there is any technique/process available in the food processing industry to remove toxins present in raw materials being used in the processing of food products and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SADHAVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a): Yes Madam. Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DACFW), Ministry of Agriculture have informed that a Central Sector Scheme was started on “Monitoring of Pesticide Residues at National level” in food commodities and environmental samples like water during 2005-06 with the participation of 25 Laboratories representing Ministry of Agriculture, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizer, Ministry of Commerce and State Agricultural Universities across the country.
Participating laboratories are collecting food commodities such as vegetables, fruits, cereals, pulses, spices, curry leaves, red chilli powder, milk, egg, fish/marine, meat, tea from various Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) markets, local markets, farm gate, organic outlets and Public Distribution Systems (PDS) and irrigated water from intensive agricultural fields from various parts of the country and analyzed for the possible presence of pesticide residues. During the year 2014-15, a total of 20,618 samples have been collected and analysed. The residues above MRL were detected in 543 samples and no banned pesticides were detected in any sample.
(b)&(c): The Food Safety and Standards Act was enacted by Parliament in 2006. The Act came into force from 2008 onwards. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was constituted in the year 2008 under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The mandate of FSSAI is to lay down science based standards for articles of foods and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for consumers. FSSAI is also required to coordinate with State Governments in matters relating to enforcement.

The maximum residue limit of toxins and pesticides are also fixed by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).

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