FSSAI issues red flag against pepper imports from Vietnam via Sri Lanka

Authorities say the imports may be contaminated with a high dosage of pesticide residue

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has instructed various nodal agencies and its offices across the country to check the import of pepper into the country. The authority feels pepper coming from Vietnam may be contaminated.

Raj Kumar, FSSAI’s joint director (imports), in a note to the various nodal agencies, said the authority had received information from the Department of Commerce that Vietnamese pepper, contaminated with high pesticide residue, may be diverted to India via Sri Lanka. He has asked officials to be vigilant about such imports.

The development comes at a time pepper growers have raised concerns over