At the 49th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC-49), held in Geneva, Switzerland from 6 to 10 July 2026, India strengthened its global leadership role in the field of food standards. The Commission adopted seven Codex standards and guidelines developed under India's chairmanship and co-chairmanship, and approved India's proposal to develop a new Codex standard for cashew kernels. The Indian delegation, led by FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Shri Rajit Punhani along with technical experts from FSSAI and the Spices Board, participated actively in the deliberations. Under India's chairmanship, the Commission adopted standards for dried coriander seeds — one of the world's most traded spices — and fresh curry leaves, providing an international benchmark for a regionally important culinary herb. Under India's co-chairmanship, five documents were adopted, including standards for vanilla and large cardamom, an annex to guidelines on the safe use and reuse of water in food production, guidelines to control Campylobacter and Salmonella in chicken meat, and provisions on joint presentation and multipack formats under the labelling standard for prepackaged foods. The cashew kernel proposal, approved under the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV), is expected to promote fair trade, reduce technical barriers to trade, and enhance the competitiveness of Indian cashew exports. India was also elected co-chair of the electronic working group on New Food Sources and Production Systems (NFPS). India remains committed to developing science-based, transparent food standards alongside the Codex Alimentarius Commission, FAO and WHO.