In News:

India’s contributions were widely appreciated at the 88th Executive Committee Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC88) held at FAO Headquarters, Rome.

What is the Codex Alimentarius?

• A collection of internationally recognized food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice.
• Promotes consumer health protection, food safety, and fair-trade practices.
• Recognized under the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures as a global reference point.

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

Structure of CAC:

• Codex Commission
• Executive Committee (CCEXEC)
• Codex Secretariat
• Subsidiary Bodies and Committees

Meetings alternate between Geneva and Rome annually. Funded by regular budgets of FAO and WHO.

India’s Contributions at CCEXEC88 (2025):

1. Millet Standards: India chaired the development of Codex group standards for whole millet grains, alongside Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal. These standards are up for final approval at CAC48.

2. Strategic Planning (2026–2031):

• India led discussions on SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) indicators for monitoring Codex outcomes.
• These KPIs will guide Codex’s strategic direction and will be adopted at CAC48.

3. Regional Capacity Building:

• India mentored Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Timor Leste under the Codex Trust Fund (CTF).
• Urged other developing countries to use the CTF for mentorship and twinning programs.

Other Leadership Roles by India in Codex:

National Codex Contact Point (NCCP), India

• Constituted by: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
• Role:
  • Liaison with the Codex Secretariat
  • Coordinate India’s input via National Codex Committee
  • Facilitate domestic stakeholder consultation for Codex decisions