Codex Alimentarius

Source: TOI

Context: India’s millet standard and leadership in Codex committees were appreciated at the 88th Codex Executive Committee (CCEXEC88) in Rome.

About Codex Alimentarius:

• What it Is? Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice. It promotes food safety, consumer protection, and fair-trade practices in international food commerce.

• Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice. It promotes food safety, consumer protection, and fair-trade practices in international food commerce.

• Established in: 1963 by FAO and WHO.

• Headquarters: Rome, Italy.

• Objectives: To ensure consumer health protection and promote fair practices in food trade. To assist countries in harmonizing food regulations to reduce non-tariff barriers.

• To ensure consumer health protection and promote fair practices in food trade.

• To assist countries in harmonizing food regulations to reduce non-tariff barriers.

• Key Features:

• Science-based standards: Framed with inputs from global risk assessment bodies (e.g. JECFA, JMPR). WTO alignment: Forms reference point for the SPS Agreement in WTO trade disputes. Voluntary yet influential: Though not mandatory, it influences national legislation worldwide. Comprehensive coverage: Includes hygiene, additives, labelling, pesticide residues, contaminants, etc. Transparent process: Open, inclusive committee discussions ensure fair global representation.

• Science-based standards: Framed with inputs from global risk assessment bodies (e.g. JECFA, JMPR).

• WTO alignment: Forms reference point for the SPS Agreement in WTO trade disputes.

• Voluntary yet influential: Though not mandatory, it influences national legislation worldwide.

• Comprehensive coverage: Includes hygiene, additives, labelling, pesticide residues, contaminants, etc.

• Transparent process: Open, inclusive committee discussions ensure fair global representation.

• India’s Contributions:

• Millet Standard Leadership: India chaired efforts to develop Codex standard for whole millets, co-chaired by Mali, Nigeria, Senegal. Codex Committee Leadership: Chairs the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) since 2014. Fresh Produce Standards: Led new standards on dates, co-chairing turmeric and broccoli standardisation. Regional Capacity Building: Provided training to Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka under Codex Trust Fund mentorship. Strategic Planning Role: Contributed to SMART KPIs for Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031.

• Millet Standard Leadership: India chaired efforts to develop Codex standard for whole millets, co-chaired by Mali, Nigeria, Senegal.

• Codex Committee Leadership: Chairs the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) since 2014.

• Fresh Produce Standards: Led new standards on dates, co-chairing turmeric and broccoli standardisation.

• Regional Capacity Building: Provided training to Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka under Codex Trust Fund mentorship.

• Strategic Planning Role: Contributed to SMART KPIs for Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031.