India has recently attained a unanimous appointment as a representative for the Asian region in the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). This prestigious election took place during the 46th meeting held at the head office of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome.
India’s Proposal for Global Millet Standards
During this session, India put forth a proposition for the establishment of universal standards for various types of millets. These include Finger millet, Barnyard millet, Kodo millet, Proso millet, and Little millet. The purpose of these standards is to align with the group standards already in place for pulses. The council unanimously supported this proposal. Currently, Codex maintains defined standards for two kinds of millet: Sorghum and Pearl Millet.
About Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)
The CAC, an international organization focusing on food standards, was established in May 1963 by the FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO). The primary aim of the commission is to protect consumer health and ensure fair trade practices in the food industry. The Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) acknowledges Codex standards, guidelines, and recommendations as reference standards for global trade and dispute resolution.
Membership of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
The Codex Alimentarius Commission presently consists of 189 members, comprising 188 countries and one member organization, the European Union. India became a member of the Codex Alimentarius in 1964.
Codex Standards: Categories and Applications
The standards laid down by Codex can be classified into several categories. These include general standards, guidelines and codes of practice, commodity standards, and regional standards.
General standards handle issues like hygienic practice, labeling, contaminants, additives, inspection & certification, nutrition, and residues of veterinary drugs and pesticides. These are applicable across various products and product categories.
Commodity standards, while similar, refer to specific products. This category has expanded in recent times to include standards for food groups as well.
Regional standards pertain to those developed by regional coordinating committees and are applicable to the respective regions.
The Impact of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Agreement
The SPS Agreement came into play along with the establishment of the WTO on 1st January 1995. It deals with the application of regulations relating to food safety and animal and plant health matters. The agreement aligns with international standards set by Codex Alimentarius, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the International Plant Protection Convention.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
In UPSC’s Civil Service Examination in 2010, a question was asked concerning the international organization that the WTO collaborates with when using international food safety standards as reference points for dispute settlements. The answer to this was the Codex Alimentarius Commission (a).
Last Modified: February 22, 2024