By IANS,
New Delhi : Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) director Sanjay Dave has become the first Indian to be elected the vice-chair of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), an international body with 170 member countries.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) created the Codex Alimentarius (meaning food law or code in Latin) in 1963.
The CAC aims at developing global food standards, guidelines and related texts such as codes of practice under the food standards programme of FAO and WHO, the two bodies under the aegis of United Nations Organisation (UNO).
Dave was elected to the coveted post during CAC’s 31st session held in Geneva between June 30 and July 4. Dave, who got 126 votes, has been elected for a year.
A press communiqué from Apeda headquarters here said: “This is for the first time that an Indian official will hold this position.”
Apeda is an autonomous body under commerce ministry dealing with quality management of agricultural and processed foods, and promoting their export.