Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49)
Why in News?
The 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49) is in the news because it recently concluded its high-level meeting in Geneva, Switzerland (held from 6th to 10th July, 2026), where it adopted groundbreaking global food safety standards and formally approved key food-standard proposals.
Facts About the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)
- Founding & Parent Bodies: Established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), holding its initial session in 1963.
- Primary Mandate: A specialized United Nations entity tasked with formulating international food standards to defend consumer health and mandate fair international food trade.
- Headquarters Location: Permanently located in Rome, Italy.
- Global Membership: Combines 188 Member Countries, 1 Member Organisation (the European Union), and over 240 Observer Organisations.
- Legal Standing: While Codex specifications remain legally voluntary, WTO utilizes them as supreme benchmarks to settle global trade disputes.
India's Achievements & Leadership
- Indian Delegation: The team was spearheaded by Shri Rajit Punhani, the CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
- Chairmanship Standards: CAC49 adopted dedicated international quality standards for Dried Coriander Seeds and Fresh Curry Leaves created under Indian chairmanship.
- Co-Chairmanship Standards: Five additional texts co-led by India were approved, spanning quality benchmarks for Vanilla and Large Cardamom.
- Food Safety and Hygiene: India co-drafted global guidelines on water use/reuse in food production and protocols to control Campylobacter and Salmonella in chicken meat.
- Cashew Kernels Proposal: The forum overwhelmingly backed India's pitch to create the first-ever comprehensive global standard for Cashew Kernels.
- Future Tech Role: India was elected Co-Chair of the Electronic Working Group targeting New Food Sources and Production Systems (NFPS).
Global Adoptions & Policy Shifts
- Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL): New benchmarks will modernise labels like "may contain nuts" to ensure worldwide consistency.
- Bakers' Yeast Milestones: Passed the first-ever commodity standard crafted explicitly by the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA).
- Additive Level Cuts: Drastically slashed permitted use levels for 19 specific polyglycerol ester food additives to lower dietary exposure risks.
