Codex Asia Committee (CCASIA21) Addresses Regional Food Safety & Standardisation
The 21st FAO/WHO Codex Coordinating Committee for Asia (CCASIA21) convened in Goa, India, to discuss critical regional food safety issues, strategic plans, and standardisation for emerging food categories.
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Panaji, India — 18 March 2026
The 21st Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Asia (CCASIA21), held in Goa from 23rd to 27th September 2019, focused on pressing food safety and quality issues pertinent to the Asian region. Key discussions included the implementation of the Global Codex Strategic Plan 2014-2019 and the roadmap for the forthcoming Strategic Plan 2020-2025. Delegates, including representatives from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), engaged in dialogues regarding emerging food safety challenges, the future of food safety, and the effective use of Codex standards regionally.
A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to developing regional standards for several product categories. Specifically, discussion papers were presented on the development of regional standards for soybean products fermented with Bacillus
species, quick-frozen dumplings (jiaozi), and Zongzi. These initiatives signal a move towards greater harmonisation and define quality and safety benchmarks for products integral to the Asian diet, which could open new export pathways or necessitate reformulation for market access. The meeting also addressed the use of an online platform for information sharing on food safety control systems, enhancing transparency and data exchange among member states.
The event also featured side events, including workshops for new delegates and sessions on STDF Proposal, Codex Trust Fund 2, and Codex online tools. These parallel activities underscore the capacity-building efforts and the emphasis on leveraging digital tools for regulatory efficiency and compliance. The involvement of various international and national food safety experts further highlighted the collaborative approach to shaping future food regulations in the region.
What this means for India
Indian supplement and food manufacturers must closely monitor developments from Codex committees, as these often predicate future FSSAI regulations. The discussions around regional standards for fermented soybean products are directly relevant to probiotic and functional food producers, setting potential benchmarks for microbial limits and compositional requirements. Brand owners should anticipate future compliance deadlines for these new standards and initiate reformulation windows now to secure market access within India and for export. Enhanced use of Codex standards and information-sharing platforms implies stricter enforcement and greater scrutiny of supply chains across the region, necessitating robust quality control systems for Indian operatives. Manufacturers should also anticipate evolving food safety requirements, impacting raw material sourcing and product development cycles.
Manufacturer and brand owner considerations extend to the broader implications of the Codex Strategic Plan 2020-2025. The plan's implementation will likely influence national regulatory priorities, potentially catalysing new FSSAI guidelines or amendments to existing ones. Proactive engagement with industry associations and regulatory bodies will be crucial for businesses to influence the development of these standards and prepare for their adoption. This includes assessing current product portfolios against anticipated regional standards to identify potential gaps or opportunities for competitive differentiation.
Brand owners increasingly rely on contract-manufacturing partners such as Supplement Factory to navigate these requirements.