MRL stands for Maximum Residue Level — the highest legally permitted concentration of a pesticide in or on a food product. In the EU, MRLs are governed by Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 and updated regularly by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Crucially, these limits apply equally to imported and domestically produced products. If a pesticide has no specific EU MRL set, the default is 0.01 mg/kg — effectively near-zero tolerance. Why Are Indian Spices Frequently Flagge