India has recently participated in the 86th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. In this session, India has made significant contribution towards promotion of quality standards of spices such as cardamom, vanilla and turmeric. As a significant producer and exporter of these spices, India’s participation is important in facilitating international trade. India has supported the advancement of standards for designated vegetable oils, guidelines for controlling Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and standards for safe use and reuse of water in food production and processing.
Codex Alimentarius Commission
- The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an international food standards body.
- The main objective of this body is to protect the health of consumers and to ensure fair practices in the food trade.
- This international organization was jointly established in May 1963 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- Various food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice are prepared under it.
- The standards and codes set under it generally apply to hygiene practices, labeling, contaminants, additives, inspection, certification, nutrition, and handling of veterinary drugs and pesticide residues.
- Currently CAC has a total of 189 members, which includes 188 countries and the European Union.
- India became a member of CAC in 1964.
- Commodity standards under Codex refer to specific products, while regional standards apply to the respective regions.
86th Session of the Executive Committee of CAC
- India, led by the CEO of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), actively participated in the 86th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC) held at FAO Headquarters, Rome.
- The main function of CCEXEC is to review new work proposals and monitor the progress of standards development.
- During the 86th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC), India strongly supported the development of beads for various spices including cardamom, turmeric and vanilla.
- This initiative holds special importance for India, as India is a major producer and exporter of these spices. Hence, it will facilitate India in international trade.
- In addition, India supported the advancement of standards for vegetable oils, guidelines for the control of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli, and safe use and reuse of water in food production and processing.
- India also supported the proposal to develop a guidance by Codex on food safety considerations related to the use of recycled materials in food packaging.
- This initiative is of vital importance in addressing global challenges such as climate change, environmental protection and sustainability.
- Finally, India shared its experience with the guidelines developed by FSSAI on recycling of post-consumer PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for food contact applications.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous statutory body.
- In India, it is established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. • This body works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India.
- It is a responsible body for protecting and promoting public health by regulating and supervising food safety and quality in India.
- The headquarters of FSSAI is located in New Delhi and its six regional offices are located in Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin and Chennai.
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India works to implement various provisions of the Food Safety Act of the states.
- FSSAI works to ensure safe arrangements for the production, storage, distribution, sale and import of nutritious food items for human consumption.
- Apart from this, it helps in maintaining the prescribed standards of production and sale of food items at all the states, district and gram panchayat levels of the country.
- It also checks the quality of retail and wholesale food items from time to time.
- Its main objective is to lay down scientifically based standards for food stuffs and to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption through controlling the production, storage, distribution, sale and import of food stuffs.