Why in the News?

India recently participated in the 88th Codex Executive Committee (CCEXEC88) in Rome (14–18 July 2025), earning praise for leading global millet standards.

About the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC):

• Established: In 1963 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Headquarters: Located in Rome, Italy.
• Membership:
  • 189 members: 188 countries + the European Union.
  • Open to all FAO and WHO members state and associate members.
• Objectives:
  • Protect consumer health by ensuring food safety.
  • Promote fair practices in international food trade.
  • Harmonize food standards to reduce trade disputes.
• Key Functions:
  • Develops global standards on:
    • Food safety and hygiene
    • Food additives, contaminants
    • Residues of veterinary drugs and pesticides
    • Labelling and import/export rules
  • Sets Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and general/horizontal standards.
  • Supports developing countries in enhancing food safety systems.
• Structure:
  • Executive Committee: Streamlines the Commission’s work.
  • Subsidiary Bodies:
    • General Subject Committees: Address additives, contaminants, hygiene, etc.
    • Commodity Committees: Develop product-specific standards.
    • Regional Coordinating Committees: Harmonize regional standards.
    • Task Forces: Address short-term, emerging issues.
• Codex Alimentarius (Food Code):
  • A collection of international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice.
  • Though voluntary, they are widely adopted, especially in international trade.
• Relevance to WTO:
  • Codex standards are reference points under the WTO SPS Agreement for resolving trade-related food safety disputes.

India and Codex Alimentarius Commission:

• Member Since: 1964.
• Active Participation:
  • India is an elected member of the Executive Committee (CCEXEC).
  • Participates in standard-setting across various food sectors.
• Recent Contributions:
  • Chaired the development of whole millet grain standards, co-chaired with Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal.
  • Led new work on fresh dates (approved for CAC48).
  • Will co-chair future standards for fresh turmeric and broccoli.
• Strategic Role at CCEXEC88 (Rome, July 2025):
  • Proposed SMART Key Performance Indicators for the Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031.
  • Shared its capacity-building programs for neighbouring countries (Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste), praised by FAO.
• Capacity Building & Mentorship:
  • Promoted use of the Codex Trust Fund (CTF) by less active member countries.
  • Shared success stories of mentorship programmes with Bhutan and Nepal.
• Special Role:
  • Chairs the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) since 2014.
  • Aligns domestic FSSAI standards with Codex to support export competitiveness.

Millets and India’s Leadership in Millets Promotion:

• Millets = Shree Anna: Renamed in the Union Budget 2023-24, emphasizing their nutritional, economic, and environmental value.
• Types of Millets:
  • Major: Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra (Pearl Millet), Ragi (Finger Millet)
  • Minor: Foxtail, Little, Kodo, Barnyard, Proso millets
• Key Traits:
  • Drought-resistant, short duration crops
  • Nutrient-rich: High in fiber, iron, calcium, gluten-free
  • Climate-smart and low-input, suitable for dryland farming
• India’s Global Push:
  • Proposed Codex standards for whole millet grains, now globally recognized.
  • Played a pivotal role in the UN declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM).
• Government Initiatives:
  • National Millet Mission (2007) to boost production and processing.
  • Shree Anna Abhiyan: Focus on millet-based product innovation and marketing.
  • Integration into Public Distribution System (PDS), midday meals, and armed forces’ diets.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2146080

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