India’s millet standards praised at 88th Session of CCEXEC88 in Rome, Italy

Current Context: The 88th Session of the Codex Executive Committee (CCEXEC88) was held from 14–18 July 2025 at FAO Headquarters, Rome, chaired by Dr. Allan Azegele.

• It was chaired by Dr. Allan Azegele, newly elected Chairperson of CAC, and inaugurated by Godfrey Magwenzi (FAO) and Dr. Jeremy Farrar from the World Health Organization (WHO).
• India, represented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), led the formulation of global millet standards with Republic of Mali, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Republic of Senegal as co-chairs.
• India’s draft for fresh dates was endorsed for review at the Codex Alimentarius Commission 48th Session (CAC48) scheduled in November 2025; it will also co-chair proposals for fresh turmeric and broccoli standards.
• The committee finalized Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound Key Performance Indicators (SMART KPIs) for the Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031.

Question:

Q.1 India co-chaired the global development of millet standards with which of the following countries at the 88th Session of the Codex Executive Committee (CCEXEC88)?
a) Mali, Nigeria, Senegal
b) Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka
c) Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania
d) UAE, Ethiopia, Egypt

Answer: a) India led the development of global millet standards and co-chaired with Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal.