Codex Alimentarius Commission

India’s role in global food standard development has recently been recognized at the 88th session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC 88), which took place at the FAO Headquarters in Rome.

About the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC):

1. Overview:

   • The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an international body responsible for setting food standards globally.

   • It was established in May 1963 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the global food trade.

   • The headquarters of the Commission is in Rome, Italy.

   Objective:

   • The primary goal of the Codex Alimentarius is to protect consumers’ health and ensure fair trade practices in food. It achieves this through the development of international standards, guidelines, and codes of practice.

   Membership:

   • The Codex Alimentarius Commission has 189 members, consisting of 188 member countries and 1 member organization (the European Union).

   • India became a member of the CAC in 1964, making it one of the longstanding contributors to the Commission's work.

   Organizational Structure:

   • The Codex Alimentarius Commission consists of four main organizational elements:

     • The Commission

     • Executive Committee

     • Codex Secretariat

     • Codex subsidiary bodies (committees focused on specific aspects of food standards)

   • The Commission meets once a year, alternating between Geneva and Rome.

   Funding:

   • The Commission's programmes are funded through the regular budgets of WHO and FAO, with all work being subject to approval by the governing bodies of these organizations.

What is Codex Alimentarius?

• Codex Alimentarius (Latin for "Food Code") refers to a collection of international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice designed to:

  • Protect consumer health.

  • Ensure fair practices in the food trade.

  Codex standards are widely used to harmonize national food safety regulations across countries. These standards are also recognized by the World Trade Organization (WTO) under the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Agreement, serving as an international reference point for food safety.

  Compliance with Codex standards by food producers and traders helps:

  • Guarantee the safety and quality of food products for consumers.

  • Provide confidence to importers that the food they import will meet the required safety standards.

India and the Codex Alimentarius:

• India’s Role:
  India’s National Codex Contact Point (NCCP), established by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), plays a crucial role in keeping a liaison with the Codex Alimentarius and coordinating Codex activities within India. The NCCP ensures that India’s contributions and inputs to Codex are well-coordinated and aligned with national priorities.

  Coordination with National Codex Committee:
  The National Codex Committee (NCC), in collaboration with the NCCP, promotes Codex activities across India. It facilitates the country’s participation in the Codex process through a consultative mechanism, ensuring that India's voice is heard in the formulation of international food safety and quality standards.

  Impact on India’s Food Standards:
  The adoption of Codex standards helps India to:

  • Strengthen its food safety regulations.

  • Boost international trade by ensuring that Indian food products meet global safety standards.

  • Improve consumer trust in the safety and quality of food.