India has been unanimously elected as a member representing the Asian region in the Executive Committee of the Commission. This election took place at the 46th meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) held at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters in Rome.
The Executive Committee plays a crucial role in the management of the CAC’s standards development program, conducting critical reviews of proposals and monitoring the progress of standards development.
As a member of the Executive Committee, India will not only have a significant say in international standard-setting for various food product categories but will also actively participate in decision-making processes.
India has also been recognised by FAO for being the host country secretariat for Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs and its contribution to codex. The award was received by the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India on behalf of the Indian delegation.
The country’s proposal for establishing global standards for millets, presented under the Additional Agendas category also received support from member countries. The proposal covers 15 types of millets with specifications for eight quality parameters, including moisture content, uric acid content, and other crucial factors, garnered praise from the international community. Codex Alimentarius currently has standards for Sorghum and Pearl Millet, and India’s push for inclusive standards for Finger millet, Barnyard millet, Kodo millet, Proso millet, and Little millet was unanimously endorsed during the meeting attended by representatives from 161 member countries, including the European Union.
The Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, congratulated the Indian delegation on this momentous occasion, coinciding with the celebration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets. He emphasized India’s pivotal role in promoting millets as a dietary choice and highlighted that the proposal would set a benchmark in showcasing the benefits of millets on a global scale.
The Indian delegation, led by CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), proposed international group standards for millets in response to the growing international trade in these products. With the CAC endorsing the proposal, India will now initiate work on the submission of project documents and the development of draft standards. The group standards on millets framed by FSSAI will serve as a crucial foundation for global standards, with a review of existing Codex standards for Sorghum and Pearl millet also on the agenda.
This landmark achievement adds another feather to India’s cap as a member of the CAC since 1964, having chaired numerous Expert Working Groups (EWGs) and proposed vital standards for various food products over the years.
