India actively participated in the 44th session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU), held in Dresden, Germany, from October 2 to October 6, 2024. As a major contributor, India made significant interventions on various agenda topics, offering critical insights that shaped key decisions. India's contributions focused on nutrient reference values (NRVs) for children aged 6 to 36 months and the development of harmonized probiotic guidelines for food and dietary supplements. Countries such as Canada, Chile, and New Zealand, among others, supported India's proposals during the discussions.

One of India’s key roles was in helping create standardized guidelines for probiotics. India pointed out that the current documents from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on probiotics, last updated two decades ago, are now outdated due to scientific advancements. India argued that global trade is being hindered by a lack of international harmony in probiotic regulation. As a result, the committee agreed to revise these guidelines, prompting FAO and WHO to review older documents, such as the "Health & Nutrition Properties of Probiotics in Food including Powder Milk with Live Lactic Acid Bacteria" from 2001 and the "Guidelines for the Evaluation of Probiotics in Food" from 2002. The organizations were tasked with reviewing scientific literature on probiotics and creating a new proposal for the CCNFSDU to consider.

Regarding the general principles for establishing nutrient reference values (NRVs), India provided recommendations for determining the combined NRV-R value for children aged 6 to 36 months. India suggested calculating the mean value by splitting the group into two categories: 6 to 12 months and 12 to 36 months. The committee reviewed this approach and approved it as part of their decision-making process.

During a separate discussion on the relative sweetness of carbohydrate sources in the Standard for Follow-up Formula, India voiced its opposition to the European Union's proposal for sensory testing, arguing that the method lacked scientific validation for its use in national legislation. India’s position was supported by the United States, Canada, and other countries, leading the committee to discontinue the topic for the time being. Despite this, it was noted that other methods, such as ISO 5495, could still be utilized where applicable.

Representatives from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Ministry of Women and Child Development all played important roles in defending India's stance on several food safety, public health, and trade-related issues. During the final session of the meeting, India’s recommendations were formally adopted into the final report, underscoring India's influential role in shaping global nutrition and food safety standards.

The session also featured updates from FAO and WHO on a range of topics. The organizations announced plans to release a Joint Statement on Healthy Diet Principles and shared ongoing reviews on the benefits and risks of Alternative Animal Source Foods (A-ASFs). In addition, FAO introduced a new “Food and Diet” section within its FAOSTAT database, which aims to provide more detailed global food and dietary data for policymakers and researchers.

Mr. Cem Özdemir, Germany’s Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, opened the session by welcoming the delegates and emphasizing the importance of food safety for global food security. He stressed that ensuring access to safe, nutritious food is vital for addressing worldwide food security challenges. The session was chaired by Ms. Martine Püster, with Dr. Carolin Bendadani serving as co-chair, and brought together international experts to discuss and revise guidelines on global nutrition standards.

The proceedings of the 44th CCNFSDU session reaffirmed India’s role as a proactive and influential voice in the international food safety and nutrition arena. India's consistent advocacy for scientifically backed and harmonized guidelines, especially concerning probiotics, NRVs, and food safety, demonstrated its commitment to improving global health standards. The meeting also showcased the global community's willingness to engage in cooperative discussions, especially as food security remains a critical concern worldwide.

India’s successful interventions during the session not only contributed to key decisions but also reflected the country’s broader goals of advocating for better regulatory frameworks in the food and nutrition sectors. As these international standards evolve, India's active participation will continue to influence policies that shape the future of food safety and public health.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)