Overview
India has successfully concluded its participation in the 48th Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC48), securing unanimous support for its commitment to collaborative global food governance. This includes a focus on enhancing efficiency, improving data management, and developing equitable standards. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Rajit Punhani, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Key Developments
Re-election to the Executive Committee
- India has been re-elected to the Executive Committee (CCEXEC) for the Asia region.
- This unanimous decision confirms India's leadership role until the end of CAC50 (2027).
- This ensures that the technical and trade priorities of the Asian continent are represented at the highest level.
Contributions to Codex Efficiency
- India contributed to discussions on Codex efficiency and future challenges during the CCEXEC89 session.
- India emphasized updating and developing databases on food additives, pesticide residues, veterinary drugs, methods of analysis, and contaminants in food.
- India supported the use of modern technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to improve the efficiency of Codex operations, particularly in document translation.
Advancing Global Standards
- India played a critical role in advancing several global standards, ensuring their relevance and utility for the region.
- The Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV), where India chaired working groups, saw the adoption of the Standard for fresh dates at Step 8.
- The Standard for fresh curry leaves was also forwarded for adoption.
- For the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR), India contributed to the adoption of the Guidelines for monitoring the stability and purity of reference materials and related stock solutions of pesticides during prolonged storage.
- India also contributed to the revised Code of practice for the prevention and reduction of aflatoxin contamination in peanuts and aligning food additive provisions in the General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA).
- The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) saw the adoption of the inclusion of "Nitrogen to protein conversion factors" as an Annex to the Recommended methods of analysis and sampling (CXS 234-1999).
Standard for Cashew Kernels
- A major achievement for agricultural trade was securing the advancement of the Standard for Cashew Kernels.
- CAC48 recommended issuing a Circular Letter to collect comments, preparing the proposal for review by CCEXEC90 and subsequent consideration at CAC49.
Regional Influence
- India supported converting the regional standard for laver products (Asia) into a worldwide standard.
- India welcomed the new work on a commodity standard for pasteurized liquid camel milk.
UPSC Relevance
This news is relevant to GS2 (International Relations, Government Policies and Interventions) and GS3 (Agriculture, Food Processing). It highlights India's active role in international bodies and its efforts to shape global food standards, which directly impacts agricultural trade and food safety.
Key Facts for Prelims
- India's re-election to the Codex Executive Committee (CCEXEC).
- The role of FSSAI in the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
- Adoption of the Standard for fresh dates.
- Advancement of the Standard for Cashew Kernels.
- Function of Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR).