The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Thursday said that imported pulses and beans are safe and that based on tests conducted in the past one month it has found no reason for concern regarding the presence of glyphosate in these commodities.
Earlier, FSSAI had instructed its import offices at ports to start monitoring the presence of glyphosate in pulses and beans as these are mainly imported through Mumbai, Chennai and Tuticorin ports.
“After the order dated 12.10.18, monthly data pertaining to glyphosate level in pulses received from ports directly handled by FSSAI was analysed and it has been observed that of the 319 consignments tested, glyphosate residues were found in only 7 consignments and that too were within the prescribed Maximum Residue Levels,” FSSAI it added.
Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI said the food safety regulator will continue monitoring imported pulses for some time till “it is established for sure that there are no residues of glyphosate in imported pulses.”
FSSAI had also directed testing of glyphosate levels in imported pulses as per Codex standards as India does not have its own standards for residue levels in pulses.