Daily News Analysis

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

stylish_lining

Recent Developments

 India recently took part in the 86th session of the Executive Committee (CCEXEC) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) held in Rome.

  • India’s Support:
  • Spice Standards: India strongly supported the advancement of Codex standards for various spices, including small cardamom, turmeric, and vanilla. Given India's role as a major producer and exporter of these spices, the adoption of these standards would facilitate smoother international trade.
  • Food Packaging: India proposed developing Codex guidance on food safety considerations related to the use of recycled materials in food packaging. This initiative aims to address global challenges such as climate change, environmental protection, and sustainability.

About Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

  • Definition: The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an international body established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice. The term "Codex Alimentarius" is Latin for "food code."
  • Purpose: Codex standards are designed to ensure the safety, quality, and fairness of international food trade. They cover a wide range of areas, including:
  • Food Hygiene: Standards for safe food handling and preparation.
  • Food Additives: Guidelines on the use of additives in food products.
  • Pesticide Residues: Limits for pesticide residues in food.
  • Veterinary Drug Residues: Limits for residues of veterinary drugs.
  • Contaminants: Standards for contaminants like heavy metals and mycotoxins.
  • Labelling and Presentation: Requirements for food labeling and presentation.
  • Methods of Analysis and Sampling: Procedures for testing and sampling food products.
  • Inspection and Certification: Guidelines for import and export inspection and certification.

Significance of Codex Standards

  • Consumer Health Protection:
  • Objective: Codex standards aim to protect consumer health by setting internationally accepted norms for food safety.
  • Impact: They help prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure that food products are safe for consumption.
  • Fair Practices in Food Trade:
  • Objective: The standards promote fair practices in international food trade by providing a common framework for quality and safety.
  • Impact: This fosters trust among consumers and importers regarding the safety and quality of food products, reducing trade disputes and barriers.
  • Enhanced Trust and Trade Facilitation:
  • Consumer and Importer Confidence: By adhering to Codex standards, countries and companies can enhance trust in their food products, facilitating smoother trade relations.
  • Global Acceptance: Compliance with Codex standards helps ensure that food products meet international safety and quality benchmarks, making them more acceptable in global markets.
  • Not a Substitute for National Laws:
  • National Compliance: Codex standards do not replace national laws but complement them. Countries must ensure their regulations align with Codex standards while adhering to their own legal and administrative requirements.

Conclusion

India's active participation in the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its advocacy for specific standards highlight the importance of international cooperation in food safety and trade. The development and adoption of Codex standards play a crucial role in ensuring safe, fair, and sustainable food practices globally.

Understanding the Auditing of Local Bodies

Why is it in the News? The International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL) was recently inaugurated in Rajkot, Gujarat. This marks a significant step towards setting global standards for
Share It

Bavikonda Monastery: A Historical and Cultural Gem

Current Status Maintenance Issues: Due to recent budget constraints, maintenance and repairs at Bavikonda Monastery have been less than optimal. Tourism Circuit: Bavikonda is part of the '
Share It

CITES Report on Rosewood: “CITES Rosewoods: The Global Picture”

The recently released CITES report titled “CITES Rosewoods: The Global Picture” provides a comprehensive analysis of rosewood species listed under the Convention on International Trade in
Share It

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

Recent Developments  India recently took part in the 86th session of the Executive Committee (CCEXEC) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) held in Rome. India’s Support: Sp
Share It

Naturally Existing DNA Editing Tool: Bridge Recombinase Mechanism (BRM)

The Bridge Recombinase Mechanism (BRM) is a newly discovered naturally occurring DNA editing tool. It utilizes mobile genetic elements, commonly known as "jumping genes," to perform DNA mani
Share It

The Delhi Urban Land and Immovable Property Records Bill, 2024

The Delhi Urban Land and Immovable Property Records Bill, 2024, aims to create a unified system for managing urban land and immovable property records in Delhi. This system will be overseen by the Del
Share It

Gig Economy and Recent Developments in Karnataka

Why in the News? The Karnataka government recently published the draft Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, which aims to address the welfare and rights of gig w
Share It

India-Japan Joint Carbon Crediting Mechanism

India and Japan are set to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to establish a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) under the framework of Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. This mechanism will facilita
Share It

Green Revolution in maize

Context: India has seen significant success with the green revolution in maize production. This success has been primarily driven by the private sector. Over the past 20 years, maize production in Ind
Share It

Captain Supreetha C.T. – First Woman Officer from Corps of Army Air Defence at Siachen Glacier

Name: Captain Supreetha C.T. Hometown: Mysuru, Karnataka Achievement: Captain Supreetha C.T. has become the first woman officer from the Corps of Army Air Defence to be operationally deployed a
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS