India's Elevated Role in Codex Alimentarius Commission

• 04 Dec 2023

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, India has been unanimously elected as a member representing the Asian region in the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) during its 46^th meeting at Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) headquarters at Rome.

• India proposed the establishment of global standards for millets like Finger millet, Barnyard millet, Kodo millet, Proso millet, and Little millet, similar to group standards set for pulses. This proposal gained unanimous endorsement during the session.
• Codex currently has standards for Sorghum and Pearl Millet.

What is Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)?

• About:
  • CAC is an international food standards body established jointly by the FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 1963 with the objective of protecting consumer’s health and ensuring fair practices in food trade.
• Recognition:
  • The Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) recognizes Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations as reference standards for international trade and trade dispute settlement.
• Members:
  • Currently the Codex Alimentarius Commission has 189 Codex Members made up of 188 Member Countries and 1 Member Organization (The European Union).
    • India became the member of Codex Alimentarius in 1964.
• Codex Standards:
  • General Standards, Guidelines and Codes of Practice: These core Codex texts typically deal with hygienic practice, labeling, contaminants, additives, inspection & certification, nutrition and residues of veterinary drugs and pesticides and apply horizontally to products and product categories.
  • Commodity Standards: Codex commodity standards refer to a specific product although increasingly Codex now develops standards for food groups.
  • Regional Standards: Standards developed by the respective Regional Coordinating Committees, applicable to the respective regions.

Note

The Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) entered into force with the establishment of the World Trade Organization on 1 January 1995. The SPS Agreement concerns the application of food safety and animal and plant health regulations. It 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)

Q. As regards the use of international food safety standards as reference point for the dispute settlements, which one of the following does WTO collaborate with? (2010)

(a) Codex Alimentarius Commission
(b) International Federation of Standards Users
(c) International Organization for Standardization
(d) World Standards Cooperation

Ans: (a)