New Delhi: The Agro Chem Federation of India (ACFI) has urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to thoroughly examine what it describes as misleading and unsubstantiated claims about agrochemicals, Indian agriculture and food safety in the upcoming film The India Story: Slow Poison in Progress, before granting certification for its scheduled release on July 24, 2026.
In a letter addressed to CBFC Chairperson Shri Shashi Shekhar Vempati, the apex industry body, which represents nearly 85% of India’s agrochemical sector, sought a detailed review of the film’s content, arguing that it contains allegations that could undermine confidence in India’s agricultural ecosystem, regulatory framework and food security.
According to ACFI, the trailer portrays India’s agricultural and food systems in an alarmist manner while drawing direct links between modern farming practices and public health concerns without scientific substantiation.
Commenting on the issue, Dr. Kalyan Goswami, Director General, ACFI, said, “the trailer of the upcoming movie The India Story: Slow Poison in Progress, presents India’s agricultural and food systems in an alarmist, sensational manner and appears to draw direct causal links between modern agricultural practices and a range of public health and social issues, without providing any apparent scientific substantiation. It is appalling to see that the film’s narrative is not only scientifically unfounded but damages India’s agricultural reputation and threatens our farmers’ livelihoods and national food security.”
The association has called on the CBFC to ensure that any misleading, exaggerated, unverified or unsupported content is appropriately addressed before the film is certified for public exhibition.
Objecting to several claims highlighted in the trailer, ACFI stated, “These claims are presented as statements of fact, yet no source, methodology, geographical context, or scientific basis is disclosed,” adding, “Available evidence from authoritative national and international institutions presents a noticeably different picture.”
To support its position, the association cited data from national and international agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which estimates India’s annual pesticide consumption at approximately 40,094 metric tonnes.
Refuting the trailer’s claims, ACFI said, “These products are applied in agricultural fields in accordance with approved agronomic practices; this does not imply that the population is “consuming 50000+ metric tons of pesticides.” Further, government-supported studies conducted under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) indicate that over 96.5% of tested agricultural commodities comply with prescribed pesticide residue limits and are considered safe for our consumption.”
The federation further argued that the film appears to draw unsupported links between pesticide use and cancer incidence.
It stated, “The trailer’s apparent attempt to directly associate cancer incidence with agricultural produce is not supported by the WHO’s established assessment of major cancer risk factors.”
ACFI also questioned the presentation of mortality figures in the trailer, saying they could create a misleading impression about pesticide-related deaths.
Referring to official data, the association noted, “The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in its Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2024 report, recorded 7,821 cases were attributed to accidental intake of insecticides or pesticides.”
Expressing concern over the broader implications of the film’s messaging, ACFI said, “the selective presentation of large numerical figures without context, source attribution, or scientific validation can misinform the public and create unwarranted fear about the safety of India’s food systems.”
The association also warned that describing Indian food as “slow poison” could adversely affect the country’s agricultural exports and international reputation.
“Such assertions may be cited by foreign regulators, competing exporters, advocacy groups, or trade interests to question the safety of Indian agricultural produce and potentially impact India’s agricultural exports,” it said.
ACFI further argued that the film gives a misleading impression that India lacks adequate food safety oversight despite the presence of multiple regulatory institutions governing the sector.
“By falsely implying that our regulatory institutions are either indifferent or entirely incapable of managing food safety, the film relies on inaccurate, unsubstantiated data to deliver a highly damaging message.”
Calling for responsible storytelling, the association said freedom of expression should be exercised with due consideration for issues affecting public health, food security, farmers’ livelihoods and national interests. It added that the portrayal risks causing long-term damage to India’s reputation, the credibility of its regulatory institutions and the country’s agricultural economy.
