In a move towards enhancing food hygiene standards globally, India unveiled its latest 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, made on Sunday aligned with the proposed draft guidelines for Food Hygiene Control Measures in Traditional Markets for Food, a pivotal agenda item for the 54th session of CCFH.
Indian delegation shared the SOP with key stakeholders, including Dr. Evelyne Mbandi, Chairperson of CCFH, and Dr. Jing Tian, Chairperson of CCASIA. Dr. Panda’s participation in the pre-session meeting with the Coordinating Committee for Asia (CCASIA), the US delegation, and the CCFH Chair underscored India’s commitment to advancing global standards in food hygiene and safety.
The SOP presentation shows India’s proactive contribution to the deliberations at the 54th session of CCFH, hosted for the first time in Kenya by the Government of the United States of America. Over the course of the session, scheduled from 11th to 15th March, delegates will engage in discussions on various critical 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.