The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been

established under Food Safety and Standards , 2006 which consolidates

various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various
Ministries and Departments. FSSAI has been created for laying down science
based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage,
distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food
for human consumption.

Highlights of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006

 Various central Acts like Prevention of Food Adulteration Act,1954,Fruit

Products Order , 1955, Meat Food Products Order,1973,
 Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947,Edible Oils Packaging
(Regulation)Order 1988, Solvent Extracted Oil, De- Oiled Meal and
Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967, Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992
etc will be repealed after commencement of FSS Act, 2006.

The Act also aims to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to
food safety and standards, by moving from multi- level, multi- departmental
control to a single line of command. To this effect, the Act establishes an
independent statutory Authority – the Food Safety and Standards Authority of
India with head office at Delhi. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI) and the State Food Safety Authorities shall enforce various provisions
of the Act.

Establishment of the Authority

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the Administrative

Ministry for the implementation of FSSAI. The Chairperson and Chief Executive
Officer of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have already
been appointed by Government of India. The Chairperson is in the rank of
Secretary to Government of India.

FSSAI has been mandated by the FSS Act, 2006 for performing the
following functions:

 Framing of Regulations to lay down the Standards and guidelines in

relation to articles of food and specifying appropriate system of enforcing
various standards thus notified.
 Laying down mechanisms and guidelines for accreditation of certification
bodies engaged in certification of food safety management system for
food businesses.
 Laying down procedure and guidelines for accreditation of laboratories
and notification of the accredited laboratories.
 To provide scientific advice and technical support to Central Government
and State Governments in the matters of framing the policy and rules in
areas which have a direct or indirect bearing of food safety and nutrition.
 Collect and collate data regarding food consumption, incidence and
prevalence of biological risk, contaminants in food, residues of various,
contaminants in foods products, identification of emerging risks and
introduction of rapid alert system.
 Creating an information network across the country so that the public,
consumers, Panchayats etc receive rapid, reliable and objective
information about food safety and issues of concern.
 Provide training programmes for persons who are involved or intend to
get involved in food businesses.
 Contribute to the development of international technical standards for
food, sanitary and phyto-sanitary standards.
 Promote general awareness about food safety and food standards.

Members of Authority
1. Ms Rita Teaotia- Chairperson,
FSSAI, 03rd & 04th Floor, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi.

2. Shri Pawan Kumar Agarwal- Chief Executive Officer

FSSAI, 03rd & 04th Floor, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi

3. Sh. Ashwani Kumar- Joint Secretary

Ministry of Agriculture,Deptt. of Agriculture & Cooperation Krishi Bhawan.

4. Sh. Santosh Kumar Sarangi- Joint Secretary

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Room No. 365-A,
Krishi Bhawan

5. Sh. P. Vankata Rama Sastry- Joint Secretary

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Room No. 365-A,
Krishi Bhawan

6. Sh. Parag Gupta- Joint Secretary

Ministry of Food Processing and Industries, Panchsheel Bhawan, August Kranti
Marg, Khelgaon, new Delhi – 110049

7. Sh. Sudhir Kumar- Joint Secretary

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Dept. of Health and Family Welfare,
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
8. Dr. Reeta Vasishta- Additional Secretary
Ministry of Law and Justice, Legislative Department Room No. 421 'A' Wing,
04th Floor, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

9. Sh. Manoj Joshi- Joint Secretary

 Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Room No. 122-B Udyog
Bhawan

Members, Scientific Committee

Chairperson- Dr Sushil kumar- Former Director & Vice-chancellor of NDRI (Deemed University);
M.Sc.& Ph.D. in Food Technology from CFTRI, Mysuru

Members ; 22

CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION

INTRODUCTION

The Codex Alimentarius Commission is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations,

established by FAO and WHO in 1963. It develops harmonised international food
standards, guidelines and codes of practice to protect the health of the consumers and
ensure fair practices in the food trade. The Commission also promotes coordination of all
food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental
organizations.

SCOPE

The Codex Alimentarius includes standards for all the principle foods, whether processed,
semi-processed or raw, for distribution to the consumer. Materials for further processing
into foods should be included to the extent necessary to achieve the purposes of the
Codex Alimentarius as defined. The Codex Alimentarius includes provisions in respect of
food hygiene, food additives, residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs, contaminants,
labelling and presentation, methods of analysis and sampling, and import and export
inspection and certification. Thus, it looks at both horizontal as well as vertical standard
setting so far as food is concerned.

NATURE OF CODEX STANDARDS

Codex standards and related texts are not a substitute for, or alternative to national
legislation. Every country’s laws and administrative procedures contain provisions with
which it is essential to comply. Codex standards and related texts contain requirements
for food aimed at ensuring for the consumer a safe, wholesome food product free from
adulteration, correctly labelled and presented. A Codex standard for any food or foods
should be drawn up in accordance with the Format for Codex Commodity Standards and
contain, as appropriate, the sections listed in the Codex procedural manual.

HISTORY OF CODEX ALIMENTARIUS

1. In May, 1963 the Sixteenth World Health Assembly approved the establishment of
the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme with the Codex Alimentarius
Commission as its principle organ.
 2. In 1963 the commission held its first session in Rome in July 1963. Some 120
participants from 30 countries and 16 international organizations attended.
3. India is a member of Codex Alimentarius Commission since 1964.
4. Currently the Codex Alimentarius Commission has: 189 Codex Members - 188
Member Countries and 1 Member Organization (EU); 229 Codex Observers - 50
IGOs, 154 NGOs; 16 UN agencies.

ROLE OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee consists of the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairpersons of the
Commission, and the Coordinators together with seven further Members elected by the
Commission at regular sessions from among the Members of the Commission, one each
coming from the following geographic locations: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and
the Caribbean, Near East, North America, South-West Pacific. The Executive Committee
shall, between sessions of the Commission, acts on behalf of the Commission as its
executive organ. In particular, the Executive Committee may make proposals to the
Commission regarding general orientation, strategic planning, and programming of the
work of the Commission, study special problems and shall assist in the management of
the Commission’s programme of standards development, namely by conducting a critical
review of proposals to undertake work and monitoring the progress of standards
development. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Executive Committee are
also the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

The present Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of Codex Alimentarius are as follows:

The Commission elected the following persons to hold office till the end of the next regular
(41st) Session of the Commission:

Chairperson: Guilherme Antonio da Costa Jr. (Brazil)

Vice Chairpersons: Mr Purwiyatno Hariyadi (Indonesia)

Ms Mariam Eid (Lebanon)

Mr Steve Wearne (United Kingdom)

LIST OF ACTIVE CODEX COMMITTEES

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC)

The various Committees working under Codex Alimentarius Commission are:

A. General Subject Committee

1.Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF)

2.Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA)
3.Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH)
4.Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems
(CCFICS)
5.Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL)
6.Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP)
7.Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS)
8.Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU)
9.Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR)
10.Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in foods (CCRVDF)
B. Commodity Committees

1.Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP)

2.Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV)
3.Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO)
4.Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV)
5.Codex Committee on Sugars (CCS)
6.Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products (CCMMP)
7.Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH)
C. FAO/WHO Coordinating Committees

1.FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAFRICA)

2.FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Asia (CCASIA)
3.FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Europe (CCEURO)
4.FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean (CCLAC)
5.FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and South West Pacific
(CCNASWP)
6. FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Near East (CCNEA)

Each Committee meets once in a year or once in 2 years depending upon its nature. The
Codex Alimentarius Commission has designated a member country of the Commission,
which has indicated its willingness to accept financial and all other responsibility, as
having responsibility for appointing a chairperson of the Committee. This country is
referred to as host country. The host country is responsible for appointing the Chairperson
of the Committee from among its own nationals. Should this person for any reason be
unable to take the chair, the host country shall designate another person to perform the
functions of the chairperson for as long as the chairperson is unable to do so.

COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR ASIA (CCASIA)

About CCASIA

The Codex Alimentarius Commission has established 6 Regional Coordinating

Committees to address the concerns of the region as follows:

1. FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAFRICA)

2. FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Asia (CCASIA)
3. FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Europe (CCEURO)
4. FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean (CCLAC)
5. FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and South West Pacific
(CCNASWP)
6. FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Near East (CCNEA)
History of CCASIA

The Coordinating Committee for Asia (CCASIA) was established at the 11th Session of
the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) held in Rome, Italy, in July 1976. The first
Session took place in New Delhi, India in January1977.

Sessions Place Date

01st New Delhi 10-16th January 1977
02nd Manila 20-26th March 1979
03rd Colombo 02th-08th February 1982
04th Phetchburi 28th February-05th March 1984
05th Yogyakarta 08-14th April 1986
06th Denpasar 26th January-01st February 1988
07th Chiange-Mai 05th February 1990
08th Kuala Lumpur 27th-31st January 1992
09th Beijing 24-27th May 1994
10th Tokyo 05-08th March 1996
11th Chiang Rai 16-19th December 1997
12th Chiang-Mai 23rd-26th November 1999
13th Kuala Lumpur 17-20th September 2002
14th Jeju 07-10th September 2004
15th Seoul 21st-24th November 2006
16th Denpasar 17th-21st November 2008
17th Yogyakarta 22nd-26th November 2010
18th Tokyo 05-09th November 2011
18th Tokyo 03rd-07th November 2014

CCASIA Related Standards

1. Regional Guidelines for Codex Contact Points and National Codex Committees
(Asia). CAC/GL 57R-1999
2. Regional Standard for Gochujang. CODEX STAN 294R-2009
3. Regional Standard for Ginseng Products. CODEX STAN 295R-2009
4. Regional Standard for Fermented Soybean Paste. CODEX STAN 298R-2009
5. Regional Standard for Edible Sago Flour (Asia). CODEX STAN 301R-2011
6. Regional Standard for Chili Sauce (Asia).CODEX STAN 306R-2011
7. Regional Standard for Tempe. CODEX STAN 313R-2013

The 40th Session of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC40)

The 40th Session of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC 40) was held at CICG,
Geneva, Switzerland during 17 -22 July

Several new standards, codes of practice and amendments/revision of existing standards

were adopted in this session. The standards and other related Codex texts which are of
special relevance to India are listed below:

S.No. Codex texts

Adopted Standards/Codes of Practice:
1 Regional Code of Hygienic Practice for Street-Vended Foods in Asia
2 Standard for Cumin
3 Standard for dried Thyme
4 Standard for Black, White and Green Pepper
Standard for Dairy Permeate Powders: The Commission adopted the standard with
5 modification relating to label declaration of alternative product nomenclature that
reflects the true nature of the product as suggested by India earlier.
MLs for Lead in Selected Processed Fruits and Vegetables (Pulses, Jams,
Jellies and Marmalades, Preserved Tomatoes, Canned Chestnuts and Canned
Chestnuts Puree) (CODEX STAN 193-1995): The Commission adopted the ML of
6 0.1 mg/kg for pulses, 0.4 mg/kg for “jams, jellies and marmalades”, 0.05 mg/kg for
preserved tomatoes, 0.05 mg/kg for canned chestnuts and chestnuts puree. The
commission adopted an ML of 0.4mg/kg for jams, jellies and marmalades as proposed
by the CCCF11 which was based on the occurrence data submitted by India.
7 Standard for Fish Oils
8 Annex on Canned Pineapples for inclusion in the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits
(CODEX STAN 319-2015)
Annex on Certain Quick Frozen Vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower,
9 french fried potatoes, green beans and wax beans, peas and spinach (for inclusion in
the Standard for Quick Frozen Vegetables (CODEX STAN 320-2015)) which is subject
to endorsement by CCFL44.
Annex on Ergot and Ergot Alkaloids in cereal grains (annex to the Code of Practice
10 for the Prevention and Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination in Cereals (CAC/RCP
51-2003))
11 NRV-R for Vitamins D and E and the Conversion Factors for Vitamin E Equivalents
for Labelling Purposes in the Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling (CAC/GL 2-1985)
12 Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Arsenic Contamination in Rice
 13 Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination in
Spices
14 MRLs for different combinations of pesticide/commodity(ies) (details provided here)

Adopted Amendments/revisions to:

Section 2 in the Appendix of the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils (CODEX
STAN 210-1999): Fatty Acid Range of Crude Rice Bran Oil (Proposed by India) :
In ‘Section 2 - Composition Characteristics’ of the Appendix of Standard for Named
1 Vegetable Oils the insertion of following text was approved as proposed by India:

“For the fatty acid range of crude rice bran oil not intended for direct human
consumption the ranges as given for rice bran oil in Table 1 apply”.
2 Scope of the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits (CODEX STAN 319-2015)
3 CCASIA Regional Standard for Chilli Sauce (CODEX STAN 306R-2011)
4 MLs for Lead and Arsenic in Edible Fats and Oils (Fish Oils) (CODEX STAN 193-
1995)
5 Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CAC/RCP 53-2003)
6 Standard for Olive Oils and Olive Pomace Oils (CODEX STAN 33- 1981): Revision of
the Limits of Campesterol
7 Standard for Named Vegetable Oils (CODEX STAN 210-1999): Revision of Quality
Parameters for Peanut Oil

In addition to above, several New Work Proposals were also approved as mentioned
below:

1. New Work Proposals (originally proposed by India)

 Revision of the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils (CODEX STAN 210-1999):
Inclusion of walnut oil, almond oil, hazelnut oil, pistachio oil, flaxseed oil and
avocado oil
 Standard for Cashew Kernels
 Conversion of the Regional Standard for Chili Sauce (CODEX STAN 306R-2011)
into a Worldwide Standard
 Revision of Standard for Mango Chutney (CODEX STAN 160-1987)
 Standard for dried or dehydrated chilli and paprika
 Standard for dried garlic
 MLs for total aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in nutmeg, chili, paprika, ginger, pepper
and turmeric

2. Other New Work Proposals

 Standard for dried or dehydrated ginger

 Standard for dried or dehydrated garlic
 Standard for basil
 Standard for dried saffron
  Standard for nutmeg
 Standard for cloves
 Revision of the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils (CODEX STAN 210-1999):
Essential composition of sunflowerseed oils
 Revision of the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils (CODEX STAN 210-1999):
Replacement of acid value with free fatty acids for virgin palm oil and inclusion of
free fatty acids for crude palm kernel oil
 Revision of the Standard for Olive Oils and Pomace Olive Oils (CODEX STAN 33-
1981)
 Standard for Dried Sweet Potato
 Conversion of the Regional Standard for Gochujang (CODEX STAN 294R-2009)
into a Worldwide Standard
 Standard for Dried Fruits
 Standard for Canned Mixed Fruits (Revision of Standard For Canned Tropical Fruit
Salad (CODEX STAN 99- 1981)
 MLs for methylmercury in fish species (tuna, alfonsino, kingfish/amberjack, marlin,
shark, dogfish and swordfish)
 Revision of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Dioxin and
Dioxin-like PCB Contamination in Foods and Feeds (CAC/RCP 62 – 2006)
 Code of Practice for the Reduction of 3- monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters and
glycidyl esters in refined oils and products made with refined oils especially infant
formula
 Guidelines (best practice) for Risk Analysis of Chemicals inadvertently present in
food at low levels
 Revision of the Code of Practice to Minimize and Contain Antimicrobial Resistance
(CAC/RCP 61-2005)
 Guidance on Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance

India was re-appointed as Regional Coordinator for Asia (CCASIA) to hold office from
the end of CAC40 until the end of session of the Commission scheduled for 2019.

The Commission elected the following persons to hold office till the end of the next regular
(41st) Session of the Commission:

Chairperson: Guilherme Antonio da Costa Jr. (Brazil)

Vice Chairpersons: Mr Purwiyatno Hariyadi (Indonesia)

Ms Mariam Eid (Lebanon)

Mr Steve Wearne (United Kingdom)

The FAO Conference had adopted a resolution promoting 7th June as World Food
Safety Day. The commission welcomed and strongly supported the observance of the
World Food Safety Day which would contribute to raise awareness of food safety issues
amongst all relevant stakeholders worldwide and to raise the profile of Codex with respect
to food safety.
CODEX PROCEDURES

The procedures regarding functioning of Codex are available in the Codex Procedural
Manual which is regularly updated. The latest updated version is the 23rd edition. The
Procedural Manual of the Codex Alimentarius Commission describes the legal
foundations and practical functioning of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies. There
is a uniform procedure laid down by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for the
elaboration of Codex Standards and related texts. The procedure is a 8 step process that
describes all the 8 steps in detail and also the accelerated procedure that is followed for
some of the Codex Standards and Related Texts as decided by the Committee.

Codex Trust Fund

Since several developing and least developed countries are unable to bear the
expenditure on travel/stay for Codex Meetings. FAO and WHO have set up a Codex Trust
Fund (CTF) which is managed in a transparent manner by the Codex Trust Fund
Secretariat in WHO.

Between 2004 and 2015, the FAO/WHO Project and Fund for Enhanced Participation in
Codex (Codex Trust Fund) supported over 2300 participants from developing and
transition economy countries to participate in the international standard development
process, and provided FAO/WHO Codex training to over 1200 people to boost the
effectiveness of their participation in the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Building on the
success of the first Codex Trust Fund, FAO and WHO are launching a successor initiative
to the Codex Trust Fund (CTF2) in January 2016.

Focus of CTF2

CTF2 will require US$ 3.3 million per year to support each eligible country at least once
over the 12 years of the fund.

CTF2 will shift the focus from widening participation in Codex, to building strong, solid
and sustainable national capacity to engage in Codex.

For more information visit the Codex Trust Fund website