Superplum is committed to supplying fresh fruits that are safe to eat and compliant with prescribed food safety standards. This policy outlines the systems, processes, and controls implemented across the Superplum supply chain to monitor, manage, and verify pesticide residue levels and overall fruit safety for fruits sold in India. For fruits exported to international markets, Superplum adheres to the food safety and residue standards prescribed by the respective destination countries.

Superplum’s approach to fruit safety is built on prevention, monitoring, and verification. Through close collaboration with farmers, rigorous pre-harvest controls including safe waiting period between last spray and harvest, accredited laboratory testing, and continuous technical oversight, Superplum ensures that all fruits supplied meet applicable Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) as defined by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and relevant international benchmarks where applicable.

This policy applies to:

• All fresh fruit consignments sourced through Superplum’s farmer network
• All stages of production, harvesting, testing, and supply
• All internal teams, stakeholders, and external laboratories involved in food safety assurance

Core Principles

• Consumer safety is non-negotiable
• Compliance with MRL standards is mandatory
• Transparency and traceability are integral to food safety
• Continuous improvement through training and monitoring

Our Framework

• Direct engagement with farmers across production clusters
• Regular farm visits at critical crop stages
• Active involvement in improving on-ground farming practices

This approach ensures safety is built into cultivation, not addressed only at the end of the supply chain.

• Safe pesticide usage
• Approved spray schedules
• Pre-harvest intervals (PHI)
• Compliance with MRL standards

Technical officers work closely with growers to bridge gaps in knowledge, implementation capability, and awareness related to pesticide application.

• Composite fruit samples collected from multiple farmer clusters
• Sampling follows standard protocols
• Samples collected only after recommended PHI

These samples are tested at NABL-accredited laboratories to verify compliance with prescribed MRLs.

Superplum’s residue testing program is designed to cover the pesticides and chemicals most commonly used in Indian fruit cultivation, as well as those known to pose potential food safety risks.

• Common pesticide usage patterns across major fruit-growing regions
• Guidance from horticulture specialists and agronomists
• Inputs from accredited testing laboratories
• Historical data from Superplum’s own sampling and farm monitoring

These compounds are selected because they are either:

• Commonly used in commercial fruit farming, or
• Known to leave residues that may exceed prescribed safety limits if not properly managed

All results are benchmarked against FSSAI-defined Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and, where relevant, internationally accepted reference standards.

Excessive pesticide residues
Residues that exceed safe consumption limits due to incorrect spray dosage, timing, or harvesting practices.

Unsafe spray practices
Including harvesting fruit before the recommended Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI) has elapsed.

Unapproved or misused agrochemicals
Including compounds that are restricted, not recommended for a specific crop, or incorrectly applied.

Cumulative chemical exposure
From multiple residues present in a single fruit, even if individual levels appear low.

Heavy metal contamination
Such as copper and other inorganic residues that may enter the fruit through soil, water, or certain plant protection products.

By identifying, measuring, and controlling these risks through accredited laboratory testing and farm-level oversight, Superplum ensures that every fruit supplied is not just fresh and high-quality, but safe to eat.

• Accurate detection of pesticide residues
• Compliance with FSSAI-prescribed limits
• Verification that fruits are safe for consumption

Superplum maintains constant coordination with testing laboratories to stay aligned with evolving testing methods and regulatory expectations.

While metal contamination does not fall under pesticide MRL definitions, Superplum undertakes additional testing where relevant. This includes screening for compounds such as copper, which may be used in certain crop production systems, as an added safety measure.

• Regulatory authorities
• Laboratories
• Knowledge dissemination platforms

This ensures the company stays updated on changes in food safety standards, testing protocols, and best practices.

Superplum invests in continuous training of internal teams through:

• Regular technical training sessions
• Evaluation and updates by subject-matter experts
• Access to updated research and regulatory guidance
• Collaborative approach with the mandated extension agencies of the state(s) Government
• Helping to sustain and promote ‘Eat Right India’ initiative

This ensures consistent implementation of food safety practices across regions and teams.

Superplum’s fruit safety policy is designed to go beyond minimum compliance. By combining farmer engagement, scientific testing, accredited verification, and continuous monitoring, Superplum works to ensure that every fruit supplied is safe to eat and aligned with the trust consumers place in the brand.