Lok Sabha Question No. 1665 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Use of Harmful Chemicals in Cereals, Pulses and Vegetables
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Ramcharan Bohra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1665

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND   JULY, 2019

## USE  OF  HARMFUL  CHEMICALS IN  CEREALS, PULSES  AND  VEGETABLES

1665.    SHRI  RAMCHARAN BOHRA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  carries out the screening of various pesticides and harmful chemicals being regularly used in cultivation of cereals, pulses and vegetables;
- (b) if  so,  the  reaction  of  the Government thereto;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has examined  the  complaints  pertaining  to presence of harmful chemicals in the food items, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has taken/ proposes to take any steps to prevent the use  of harmful  substances/pesticides/ chemicals in the food items; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) & (b): Technical review of registered pesticides is being conducted from time to time for their continue use. Based on the recommendations of such technical reviews, the Department has  banned  40  pesticides  and  4  formulations  for  use  in  the  country. 2  pesticides  have  been banned for use but continue to be manufactured for export.  18 pesticides were never allowed for registration due to their toxicity.  In addition, 8 pesticides have been withdrawn for use in the country and 9 pesticides have been restricted for use. Further several label claims of pesticides have also been withdrawn.

(c) to (e): As  informed  by  the  Food  Safety  and  Standard  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI),  the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL)/ tolerance limits for various Pesticides and antibiotic residues in food  commodities  are  fixed  under  Food  Safety  and  Standards  (Contaminants,  Toxins  and Residues)  Regulations,  2011  which  are  reviewed  from  time  to  time.  To  ensure  that  the  food items do not possess harmful chemicals, apart from MRLs of harmful chemicals specified under Food  Safety  and  Standards  (Contaminants,  Toxins  and  Residues)  Regulations,  2011  and amendments thereof such as metals, antibiotics, insecticides, other substances  like aflatoxin, melamine  etc.,  FSSAI  has  laid  down  maximum  limits  of  chemicals  such  as  preservatives, additives including permitted colours etc. in Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011

The  implementation  and  enforcement  of  Food  Safety  and  Standards  (FSS)  Act  2006, rules  and  regulations  made  thereunder  primarily  lies  with  States/UTs.  In  order  to  ensure  the availability of good quality food including cereals, pulses, vegetables etc. to the consumers and for keeping a check on food adulteration, State food authorities have been advised to keep a strict vigil by regularly drawing food samples from all sources viz. manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and to take strict action against the offenders under the provisions of FSS Act, 2006. Accordingly, States/UTs are conducting regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling  of  food  products  in  case  where  the  food  samples  are  found  to  be  non-conforming, recourse is taken to penal provisions under Chapter IX of the FSS Act 2006.

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