NEW DELHI — India has positioned itself as a decisive voice in shaping international food safety and trade standards, securing key victories at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49) in Rome. The country’s delegation, led by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), successfully advocated for the adoption of global standards for millets and pushed for greater recognition of traditional and artisanal foods in international trade frameworks.
The session, held from November 27 to December 2, 2026, brought together representatives from over 180 member countries under the joint auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). India’s interventions were described by government officials as “proactive and constructive,” reflecting a strategic effort to align global food governance with the needs of developing economies.
What Happened at CAC49
India’s delegation played a central role in advancing several critical agenda items during the week-long deliberations. The most significant outcome was the adoption of international standards for millets—a group of drought-resistant, nutrient-dense grains that have gained global attention for their climate resilience and nutritional benefits. The move follows the United Nations’ declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets, a campaign championed by India to promote the crop’s role in sustainable agriculture and food security.
In addition to millets, India pushed for the inclusion of traditional and artisanal foods in Codex standards, arguing that existing frameworks often disadvantage small-scale producers in developing countries. The delegation emphasized the need for science-based regulations that do not impose disproportionate burdens on local food systems while still ensuring consumer safety.
FSSAI Chairperson Dr. Ritu Karidhal, who led the Indian delegation, stated that the country’s participation was aimed at “shaping food safety norms that are both rigorous and adaptable to local contexts.” She added that India’s approach sought to balance public health priorities with the economic interests of farmers and food businesses, particularly in regions where traditional food practices are deeply embedded in cultural and agricultural systems.
Why It Matters
The decisions made at CAC49 carry significant implications for global trade, public health, and agricultural policy. Codex standards serve as the benchmark for food safety regulations worldwide, and compliance with these standards is often a prerequisite for market access. For India, the adoption of millet standards could open new export opportunities while reinforcing the country’s leadership in promoting climate-smart agriculture.
The inclusion of millets in the Codex framework is particularly timely, given the growing global demand for sustainable and nutrient-rich foods. Millets require significantly less water than rice or wheat and are well-suited to arid and semi-arid regions, making them a critical crop for climate adaptation. India, which accounts for over 80% of global millet production, stands to benefit from increased international recognition of the grain’s value.
However, the commercial success of millets in global markets will depend on India’s ability to address long-standing challenges in quality control, supply chain infrastructure, and market linkages. While the country has made strides in promoting millets domestically—including through government procurement programs and public awareness campaigns—scaling up production for export markets will require significant investment in processing, storage, and certification systems.
India’s advocacy for traditional foods also reflects a broader effort to challenge the dominance of industrialized food systems in global trade. Many traditional foods, such as fermented products, indigenous grains, and artisanal dairy, face regulatory barriers in international markets due to their unique production methods. By pushing for more inclusive standards, India aims to level the playing field for small-scale producers, who often lack the resources to comply with complex regulatory requirements.
Background and Context
The Codex Alimentarius Commission was established in 1963 by the FAO and WHO to develop harmonized international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice. Its mandate is to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in food trade. The commission’s decisions are adopted by consensus, meaning that even a single member country can block a standard if it perceives a conflict with its national interests.
India’s engagement with Codex has evolved significantly over the past decade. Historically, the country’s participation was largely reactive, focused on defending its domestic regulations against challenges from developed nations. However, in recent years, India has adopted a more assertive stance, leveraging its growing economic and diplomatic influence to shape global food governance.
This shift is part of a broader strategy to position India as a leader of the Global South in international forums. At CAC49, India aligned itself with other developing nations, including Brazil and South Africa, in advocating for standards that reflect the agricultural realities of non-industrialized food systems. This coalition has gained traction in recent years, as countries in the Global South seek to counterbalance the influence of the United States, the European Union, and other developed economies in setting food safety norms.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
While India’s interventions at CAC49 were widely praised by domestic stakeholders, some experts caution that the country’s ability to translate diplomatic influence into tangible economic benefits remains uncertain. Dr. Ashok Gulati, a prominent agricultural economist and former chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), noted that while the adoption of millet standards is a “positive step,” its impact will depend on India’s ability to address structural challenges in its agricultural sector.
“Millets have tremendous potential, but their commercial viability in global markets hinges on consistent quality, reliable supply chains, and competitive pricing,” Gulati said in an interview with The Herald Express. “India has made progress in promoting millets domestically, but scaling up for exports will require significant investments in processing infrastructure and farmer training.”
Another area of contention is the tension between global standards and local food practices. While India has argued for more flexible regulations to accommodate traditional foods, some public health advocates warn that overly permissive standards could compromise food safety. The challenge lies in striking a balance between inclusivity and rigor—a debate that is likely to intensify as more countries push for the recognition of non-industrialized food systems.
There is also uncertainty about how India’s advocacy will be received by developed nations, which have historically dominated Codex decision-making. The European Union and the United States, for instance, have often pushed for stricter food safety standards, citing consumer protection concerns. While these standards are ostensibly science-based, critics argue that they can serve as non-tariff barriers to trade, disproportionately affecting developing countries.
What to Watch Next
The immediate focus for India will be on implementing the newly adopted millet standards and ensuring that its domestic food safety regulations align with the Codex framework. The FSSAI has indicated that it will work with state governments, farmer cooperatives, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen quality control measures and expand millet processing capacities.
On the international front, India is expected to continue building alliances with other developing nations to push for more equitable representation in Codex decision-making. The country’s leadership in the G20 and its growing influence in multilateral forums provide a platform to amplify the voices of the Global South in global food governance.
Another key development to watch is the response of developed nations to India’s advocacy for traditional foods. If the push for more inclusive standards gains momentum, it could lead to a broader reevaluation of how food safety regulations are designed and enforced. However, resistance from industrialized food lobbies and regulatory agencies in developed markets could slow progress.
Finally, the success of India’s millet strategy will depend on its ability to integrate the crop into global value chains. The government has already taken steps to promote millets through initiatives like the Millet Mission and the establishment of millet processing clusters. However, sustained investment in research, infrastructure, and market development will be critical to realizing the crop’s full potential.
Conclusion
India’s active participation at the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission marks a significant milestone in its efforts to shape global food governance. By securing the adoption of millet standards and advocating for the recognition of traditional foods, the country has positioned itself as a key player in international food safety negotiations. These developments reflect a broader strategic shift, as India seeks to align global standards with the needs of developing economies while promoting its domestic agricultural priorities.
However, the real test of India’s influence will lie in its ability to translate these diplomatic victories into tangible benefits for its farmers, food businesses, and consumers. The adoption of millet standards is a promising start, but its long-term impact will depend on India’s capacity to address structural challenges in its agricultural sector and navigate the complexities of global trade. As the country continues to assert its leadership in forums like Codex, the world will be watching to see whether its vision for a more inclusive and equitable food system can become a reality.
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Story synopsis gathered from: Google News India — source.
