**Summary:**
The 88th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC88) in Rome, Italy from July 14-18, 2025, recognized India's leadership in developing a group standard for whole millet grains, previously approved at CAC47. India chairs this work, with Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal as co-chairs; terms of reference were finalized at CCCPL11 in April 2025. As an elected member of CCEXEC, India participated in discussions inaugurated by Mr. Godfrey Magwenzi (FAO) and Dr. Jeremy Farrar (WHO). CCEXEC88 reviewed and endorsed for further approval at CAC48 in November 2025, the new standards for fresh dates, as recommended by CCFFV23, acknowledging India's and CCFFV's efforts. India will also co-chair work on standards for fresh turmeric and broccoli. India contributed to discussions on the Codex Strategic Plan 2026-2031 monitoring framework, advocating for outcome-based, measurable KPIs. India highlighted its FAO-recognized capacity building program for neighboring countries and promoted the Codex Trust Fund (CTF) for mentorship programs, referencing its initiatives with Bhutan and Nepal. The Indian delegation, representing the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), represented India's interests at CCEXEC88. Contact information: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Date: July 19, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health and family welfare.
Codex Alimentarius Commission: An international food standards body established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Rome, Italy: The city in Italy where the 88th Codex Executive Committee Meet took place.
Food and Agriculture Organization: A specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
World Health Organization: A specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
Mali: One of the co-chairs with India for the work on the group standard for whole millet grains.
Nigeria: One of the co-chairs with India for the work on the group standard for whole millet grains.
Senegal: One of the co-chairs with India for the work on the group standard for whole millet grains.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Millet Standard Gains Recognition at 88th
Codex Executive Committee Meet in Rome
Posted On: 19 JUL 2025 4:35PM by PIB Delhi
India’s leadership in developing a group standard for whole millet grains, approved during Codex
Alimentarius Commission (CAC47) last year, was appreciated during the 88th Session of the
Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC88), held at the FAO
Headquarters in Rome, Italy from 14th to 18th July 2025. The Committee reviewed the progress of
this work, which is being chaired by India with Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal as co-chairs. The terms of
reference for the same were finalized at the 11th Session of the Codex Committee on Cereals,
Pulses and Legumes (CCCPL11) held in April 2025.
India, as an elected member of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC),
participated in the session which was inaugurated by Mr. Godfrey Magwenzi, Deputy Director General and
Director of Cabinet, FAO, and Dr. Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion and Disease
Prevention and Control, WHO. The event was attended by Dr. Allan Azegele, Chairperson of the Codex
Alimentarius Commission, Ms. Sarah Cahill, Secretary of the Commission, and other elected representatives
from member countries.
CCEXEC88 critically reviewed the works chaired by India on the new standards of fresh dates as
recommended by the 23rd session of Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV23) held in
February this year. The Executive Committee appreciated the efforts of the CCFFV and India in finalizing
these standards and endorsed them for further approval at the 48th session of the Codex Alimentarius
Commission (CAC48) scheduled for November 2025. India will also serve as co-chair in new work proposals
to develop standards for fresh turmeric and fresh broccoli.
India actively participated in discussions on the monitoring framework for the Codex Strategic Plan
2026–2031, where SMART Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were finalized for endorsement at CAC48.
India recommended that monitoring indicators should be outcome-based, measurable and considered. India
also informed about its capacity building programme for neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Nepal,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste etc., which has been recognized by FAO. It is noteworthy that India has
been chairing the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) since its inception in 2014.
India also encouraged less active Codex member countries to utilize the Codex Trust Fund (CTF) for
mentorship and twinning programmes. Drawing from its successful CTF-supported training and capacity
building initiatives with Bhutan and Nepal, India proposed the inclusion of such training efforts as indicators
toward achieving strategic goals.
The Indian delegation from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India (FSSAI) ensured India’s interests were projected efficiently at the CCEXEC88.
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MV
HFW/FSSAI Codex Italy/19 July 2025/1
(Release ID: 2146080)