On 10 February, the FAO-hosted World Pulses Day will “raise public awareness about pulses and the fundamental role they play in the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.”

Defined by FAO as “the edible seeds of leguminous plants cultivated for both food and feed,” pulses include dry beans, lentils, dry peas and chickpeas. They are grown, eaten and traded the world over and are not only a nutrient dense food that provides some of the minerals and vitamins vital for human health, but they fix nitrogen in the soil, enhance soil biodiversity and fertility and, in multiple cropping systems, can even contribute to climate change resilience and ecosystem services.

This year’s World Pulses Day theme, “Pulses: nourishing soils and people” reflects the dual power punch that pulses offer both to those who produce pulses and to consumers.

Codex work over the years has played a role in ensuring the quality and safety of the production, processing, and trade of pulses, as well as acknowledging the role they play in organic production systems. 

In particular, the Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (CCCPL) has developed the Standard for Certain Pulses (CXS 171-1989) which defines the essential composition and quality requirements of the pulses covered under its scope. It includes beans, lentils, peas, chick peas, field beans and cow peas, and outlines fundamental characteristics pulses should have in order to ensure their quality and safety. In the standard, it is also recommended that preparing and handling pulses should comply with the appropriate sections of the General Principles of Food Hygiene (CXC 1-1969), and other relevant codes of practice.

The Codex committees on contaminants and pesticides have also established safe limits for contaminants such as heavy metals and mycotoxins and pesticide residues respectively in these products, all of which can become a factor in the quality and safety of pulses. The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) is reviewing methods of analysis for cereals, pulses and legumes as part of its mission to update its key document on Recommended Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CXS 234-1999) that compiles the methods recommended for compliance with provisions in Codex standards.

Two pulses-related regional standards have been developed by the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNE). The Regional Standard for Canned Foul Medames (CXS 258R-2007) and the Regional Standard for Canned Humus with Tehena (CXS 257R-2007) both reflect the importance of pulses (faba beans - Vicia faba - and chickpeas respectively) to that region in particular.

In an indication of the important role of pulses in nourishing the soil, Codex also points to the cultivation of legumes for the maintenance or increase of the fertility and biological activity of the soil in organic food production in its Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods (CXG 32-1999).

So, enjoy your pulses! And know that Codex is playing its part to ensure both soils and people benefit safely from the nutrient-rich advantages they provide.

Read more
World Pulses Day (campaign webpage)
World Pulses Day 8 February event (registration page)
World Pulses Day guide

Codex Alimentarius (website)
Pulses: Nutritious Seeds for a Sustainable Future (FAO publication)
Soils and Pulses: Symbiosis for Life (FAO publication)