India seeks global cashew kernel standard at Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting

India, re-elected to the Codex Executive Committee for Asia at CAC48, has proposed developing a global standard for cashew kernels to harmonise quality norms for this widely traded commodity
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H S MANJUNATH/THE HINDU

India — which was re-elected to the Executive Committee (CCEXEC) for the Asia region at the 48th Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC48) — has suggested a global standard for cashew kernels.

A media release by the Press Information Bureau said that one of the achievements in agricultural trade was advancing the Standard for Cashew Kernels. India successfully advocated for the resumption of this work, and CAC48 recommended issuing a Circular Letter to collect comments, preparing the proposal for review by CCEXEC90 and subsequent consideration at CAC49. This standard is critical for harmonising quality specifications for this globally traded commodity.

During the CCEXEC89 session earlier in the week, India, as Member Asia, strongly contributed to discussions on Codex efficiency and future challenges. India particularly emphasised the need to update and develop databases on food additives, pesticide residues, veterinary drugs, methods of analysis, and contaminants in food. India also supported the use of modern technologies, including AI, to improve the efficiency of Codex operations, particularly in relation to document translation.

The Indian delegation was active in defending national and regional interests, highlighting the necessity to consider regional data when developing standards..

Fruits and vegetables

India played a critical role in advancing several global standards, ensuring their relevance and utility for the region. The Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV), where India chaired the working groups for both standards, adopted the standard for fresh dates at Step 8, a standard vital for harmonising trade practices and enhancing product quality for this globally significant fruit.

The standard for fresh curry leaves was also forwarded for adoption, supporting trade in this regionally important culinary herb..

Pesticide residues

For the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR), India contributed to the adoption of the guidelines for monitoring the stability and purity of reference materials and related stock solutions of pesticides during prolonged storage, which is crucial for strengthening laboratory capacity and ensuring the reliability of data submitted from the region for setting maximum residue limits (MRLs).

India also contributed to the revised code of practice for the prevention and reduction of aflatoxin contamination in peanuts and aligning food additive provisions in the General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA).

The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) saw the adoption of the inclusion of ‘Nitrogen to protein conversion factors’ as an annexe to the recommended methods of analysis and sampling (CXS 234-1999), which provides a standardised tool essential for compositional and quality assessment across all food sectors, benefiting regional laboratory work.

Demonstrating regional influence, India supported converting the regional standard for laver products (Asia) into a worldwide standard and welcomed the new work on a commodity standard for pasteurised liquid camel milk.

Led by Rajit Punhani, Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the Indian delegation included senior officials from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Spices Board, Marine Products Export Development Authority, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Published on November 18, 2025