India Proposes Modernization of Food Streets at Codex Committee on Food Hygiene Meeting

Nairobi: India took a significant step towards enhancing food safety and hygiene by presenting its recently released Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Modernization of Food Streets at the pre-session meeting of the 54th session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) in Nairobi, Kenya. The presentation aligns with the proposed draft guidelines for Food Hygiene Control Measures in Traditional Markets for Food, a key agenda for the 54th CCFH session.

The Indian delegation, led by Dr. Satyen Kumar Panda, Advisor at the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), presented the SOP to Dr. Evelyne Mbandi, Chairperson, CCFH, and Dr. Jing Tian, Chairperson, Coordinating Committee for Asia (CCASIA), during the pre-session meeting with CCASIA, the US delegation, and CCFH Chair.

The SOP aims to establish a comprehensive framework for the modernization of food streets, ensuring adherence to global food safety standards and practices. It reflects India’s commitment to advancing global standards in food hygiene and safety, contributing valuable insights for the benefit of all nations.

The 54th session of CCFH, hosted by the Government of the United States of America, is being held in Kenya from March 11 to March 15, 2024. The session provides a platform for international collaboration on crucial agendas, including “Guidelines for the Control of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli (STEC) in Fresh Leafy Vegetables and Sprouts” and “Guidelines for the Safe Use and Reuse of Water in Food Production and Processing in Fish and Fishery Products, Milk and Milk Products.”

The Indian delegation, representing FSSAI, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), is committed to actively participating in the deliberations, working towards shaping global standards in food hygiene and safety, and sharing best practices for the benefit of the international community.