A joint FAO/WHO body sets the world’s food-trade standards. In July 2026, India led work on seven of them at once, from curry leaves to cashews.
Timeline
- October 1963: The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) holds its first session, in Rome.
- 1964: India joins the Commission as a member.
- 6–10 July 2026: The 49th Session of the Commission, CAC49, is held in Geneva, Switzerland.
Must Know
- The Codex Alimentarius Commission is the joint FAO and WHO Food Standards Programme, established in 1963.
- It develops science-based international food standards, to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade.
- India has been a member since 1964. FSSAI serves as India’s National Codex Contact Point (NCCP), the official communication bridge with the Commission.
- India also hosts the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs, and serves as Regional Coordinator for Asia.
- At CAC49, held in Geneva in July 2026, seven Codex texts developed under India’s chairmanship or co-chairmanship were adopted.
Good to Know
- The Commission now has 188 member countries, plus the European Union, and over 240 observer organisations.
- The Codex Alimentarius itself is a collection of over 200 standards, and over 100 codes of practice and guidelines.
- Within India, FSSAI coordinates positions through the National Codex Committee, supported by 12 subject-specific Shadow Committees.
- FSSAI is also India’s domestic food safety regulator. See Polity0185 — FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) for its full domestic mandate.
Current Affairs
- 6–10 July 2026: At CAC49 in Geneva, the Indian delegation, led by FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani, adopted seven India-led Codex texts. (Source: PIB)
- Under India’s chairmanship, the Commission adopted standards for Dried Coriander Seeds and Fresh Curry Leaves. (Source: PIB)
- Under India’s co-chairmanship, it adopted standards for Vanilla and Large Cardamom. It also adopted guidelines on water reuse in food production, and on controlling Campylobacter and Salmonella in chicken meat. (Source: PIB)
- The Commission also approved India’s proposal for new work on a Codex Standard for Cashew Kernels. India was also elected Co-Chair of an Electronic Working Group on New Food Sources and Production Systems. (Source: PIB)
- The Coriander, Curry Leaves, Vanilla, and Large Cardamom standards were finalised at CCSCH’s 8th Session, hosted by India in Guwahati, in October 2025. The Spices Board serves as CCSCH’s Secretariat.
- Large Cardamom is indigenous to India’s North-Eastern Himalayan region.
- India currently imports much of its vanilla requirement. The new standard still strengthens international trade-quality confidence.
- A second Electronic Working Group, on risk analysis for new food products, is chaired by the EU. India was named Co-Chair there too.
Test Yourself
Great to Know
- CAC49’s outcomes are export-facing, not just symbolic. A Cashew Kernels standard is meant to strengthen Indian exporters’ access to the global cashew trade, by harmonising quality and safety requirements internationally.
- India’s growing Codex leadership sits alongside its role as a major food exporter. It exports spices, tea, rice, and marine products, each subject to its own international quality benchmarks.
- The distinction between India’s chairmanship and co-chairmanship roles at CAC49 is a useful, precise fact for exam purposes. The two coriander/curry-leaf standards were solely India-led; the other five involved shared leadership.
Leave a Reply