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 World Trade Organization (WTO) launches searchable SPS Information Management System database
The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently launched a searchable database of member governments' measures related to the SPS Agreement, thus making it easier to find out about other countries' food safety requirements and alerts. The SPS Information Management System (SPS IMS) allows users to search and obtain information on measures that member governments have submitted to the WTO. These include notifications concerning new export and food safety requirements, specific trade concerns that governments have raised, documents of the WTO's sanitary and phytosanitary measures committee, member governments' national enquiry contacts, and details of the authorities who handle notifications. The SPS Information Management System is available at http://spsims.wto.org.
 FAO and WHO develop new web-based microbiological risk assessment model
As part of the JEMRA activities, FAO and WHO have just completed, and made publicly available, a web-based model to assess the risk associated with Enterobacter sakazakii in powdered infant formula. This user-friendly model allows users to compare the impact of the implementation of different sampling plans at the end of the production of powdered infant formula and also to compare the relative impact of different preparation, storage and use scenarios on the risk of Enterobacter sakazakii infections in infants. This is the first web-based risk assessment tool to be developed by FAO and WHO in the area of food safety. The web-based assessment model can be accessed at: www.mramodels.org. For further information and feedback on the model please contact jemra@fao.org
 68th JECFA Session Chemical and Technical Assessments (CTAs)
The chemical and technical assessments prepared for some of the substances on the agenda of the 68th JECFA have been made available on the FAO JECFA website at:
→ Download… [pdf
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69th JECFA Session (Food additives)
Rome, Italy, 17–26 June 2008
The complete list of substances scheduled for evaluation by this meeting is available from:
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/files/JECFA69_Call_Final_28_9_2007.pdf
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/files/Supplemental%20call%20JECFA%2069.pdf
70th JECFA Session (Residues of Veterinary Drugs)
Geneva, Switzerland, 21–29 October 2008
The complete list of substances scheduled for evaluation by this meeting is available from:
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/files/JECFA%2070%20Call%20for%20data.pdf
High Level Special Event on Food Quality and Safety
34th FAO Conference, 21 November 2007
FAO/AGNS convened a High Level Special Event on Food Quality and Safety during the last session of the FAO Conference. The objective of the event was to draw the attention of policy makers to the importance of food quality and safety for consumer protection and trade promotion. It also underlined the increasing needs of developing countries for capacity building to improve the efficiency of their national food safety system throughout the food chain, including the involvement of food producers, processors and distributors in this endeavour. The event was attended by 57 member countries and three INGOs. The opening speeches were made by H.E. Obiang Nguema Mbasago, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the Director-General of FAO. H.E. Ahmed El-Hawshabi, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation of Yemen chaired the event. A presentation on “Emerging food safety challenges” was made by Mr Stuart Slorach, former Chairman of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and Mr José M. Sumpsi, Assistant Director-General, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department delivered a presentation on “Bridging the gap between food safety policy and implementation”. A brief report of the event in English is available from:
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/files/CF Report_Foodquality.pdf
The Arabic, Chinese, French and Spanish versions will be available from the same address shortly.
Workshop on Strengthening Food Safety and Quality Systems for Consumer Systems in the Small and Medium Enterprises Food Sector in Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe, 21-23 November 2007
FAO, in collaboration with Consumers International and the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, jointly convened a 3-day workshop in Harare, Zimbabwe from 21-23 November 2007. The objectives of the workshop were to communicate and share up-to-date information on food safety issues and promote good working relationships among the stakeholders to support concrete follow-up action plans. A summary report of the workshop is available at:
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/capacity_events_2007_en.asp
REPORT ON FUNCTIONAL FOODS
November 2007
The Report on Functiona Foods was prepared for FAO/AGNS by Muriel Subirade, Professeure, Département des sciences des aliments et de nutrition, Université Laval, Québec, Canada. The report is available at:
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/files/Functional_Foods_Report_Nov2007.pdf |
