New Delhi: In a move that may prove to be a step to protect pulse-eaters from the ill-effects of herbicides present in the imported pulses, the government has decided to fix the maximum residue level (MRL) in different lentils, which was not in the practice in the country. The presence of glyphosate in pulses more than the permissible limits causes life taking diseases such as cancer.
As per a recent order of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), it has been said that the quantity of glyphosate residues in imported pulses is expected to be high, which could be detrimental to the health of consumers.
Since India does not have any set standards for
MRLs for glyphosate, the FSSAI has decided to use the standards set by Codex Alimentarius, a joint committee set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). These standards
allow MRL of 2 mg/kg in beans and 5 mg/kg for lentils
and peas.
Commenting on the decision, FSSAI CEO Pawan Agrawal told Millennium Post that the quantity for glyphosate in other crops is already fixed, but it has never been determined in pulses.
"Given that the presence of excessive amount of glyphosate in pulses is posing a serious threat on health of the people, we have decided to fix the residues in pulses by adopting Codex standards. This practice is already there in other countries," Agrawal said.
However, importers have raised fingers over the
timing of FSSAI order as the country is discouraging import of pulses due to bumper production of the crops. "The order is aimed at putting a check on import of
pulses as whole consignment would be rejected if imported pulses would have more glyphosate than the permitted level," said an importer, who wished not to be named. Notably, the government has imported 8.1 million tonnes of pulses this year.