Recent trends and risks of PFAS pesticide residues in grapes from Maharashtra, India

The Indian grape industry, anchored in Maharashtra, is vital to domestic consumption and international exports, particularly to the European markets. This review comprehensively examines the risks for the residues of 55 PFAS-based pesticides in Indian grapes. Residue monitoring data on grapes from 2014 to 2025 show very few detections of PFAS-pesticides and exceedances of maximum residue limits (MRLs), leading to any export rejections. Estimated daily intake (EDI) and percentage of acceptable daily intake (ADI) assessments indicate that fipronil, gamma-cyhalothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and tetraconazole exceeded the safety thresholds in less than 0.1% of the samples tested. The cumulative 'combined effects' of multiple residues further complicates risk evaluation, exposing regulatory gaps. To mitigate these risks, the review advocates for harmonized MRLs and sustainable viticulture strategies, including integrated pest management (IPM), use of PFAS-free agrochemicals, bio-pesticides, and nanotechnology-based delivery systems, ensuring consumer safety and export resilience.