Petition: We Deserve to Know What’s in Our Food – Demand Transparency on Pesticides in India
Every day, millions of Indians consume fruits, vegetables, rice, pulses, and grains believing they are making healthy food choices.

But there is one critical question most of us cannot answer:

How many pesticides are in the food we eat?

Consumers rarely know:

Where their fruits and vegetables were grown
What chemicals were sprayed on them
Whether the produce was tested for pesticide residues
Whether it meets safe consumption limits
This lack of transparency means millions of people unknowingly consume agricultural products that may contain harmful chemical residues.

The Facts We Cannot Ignore
According to surveillance conducted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, over 86,000 food samples were tested between 2022–2025, and 2.8% were found to contain pesticide residues above the legally permitted limit. (The New Indian Express)

Independent monitoring studies have also detected pesticide residues in:

21.7% of fruit samples
18.7% of vegetable samples
21.7% of rice samples
11.8% of pulse samples (MDPI)
Even when residues remain within legal limits, regular long-term exposure to pesticide mixtures can pose health risks, including potential links to neurological damage, liver and kidney disorders, and certain cancers. (Business Standard)

Yet consumers in India still have almost no access to information about pesticide use on the food they buy.

The Problem
While India has food safety laws under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the average consumer still cannot easily find out:

Which farm produced their food
Whether pesticide testing was conducted
The residue levels in the produce they purchase
Unlike many developed countries, there is limited traceability and transparency from farm to market.

This leaves consumers with no real way to make informed food choices.

What We Are Asking For
We urge the Government of India and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to strengthen food safety transparency and protect public health by implementing:

1. Mandatory Pesticide Disclosure
Retailers, wholesalers, and online grocery platforms should disclose pesticide testing results or certification where applicable.

2. Nationwide Produce Testing Programs
Expand random testing of fruits, vegetables, grains, and pulses across markets and publish results publicly.

3. Farm-to-Market Traceability
Introduce systems that allow consumers to identify the origin of produce and farming practices.

4. Clear Food Safety Labels
Create a labeling system indicating whether produce has been tested for pesticide residues.

5. Support for Safer Farming
Provide incentives and training for farmers to adopt low-pesticide, organic, or integrated pest management methods.

Why This Matters
Food safety is not a luxury.

It is a fundamental right.

When consumers cannot access basic information about the food they eat every day, public health is at risk.

India has made significant progress in food production and agricultural technology. Now it is time to ensure that the food on our plates is safe, transparent, and trustworthy.

Our Demand
We call upon the Government of India and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to introduce stronger transparency and accountability measures for pesticide use in agriculture.

Indian consumers deserve to know what they are eating.

If you believe in safer food and greater transparency, sign and share this petition.

Together, we can push for a healthier and safer food system for everyone.