When implemented, Codex standards facilitate fair practices in the food trade and protect consumer health. It is therefore expedient for countries to be able to participate in the standards setting processes. However, for a range of reasons, not all countries can or do participate in Codex work. In this interview, Alfred Barrett, Plant Quarantine Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Jamaica, explains how participating in the Codex procedure for setting the Standard for Yam meant the text is [...]

The 48th session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) has commenced in Quebec City, Canada, with first-time Chairperson Dr Parthi Muthukumarasamy presiding. Opening remarks were offered bilingually by Deputy Minister, Health Canada Greg Orencsak in a video message. With his “warm welcome to all delegates and observers from around the world”, the Deputy Minister, made clear that Canada “places a high importance on the work done by Codex.” He continued, “We believe that the work of Codex is imperative [...]

The 27th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (CCRVDF) has concluded with the adoption of the report. “I was hopeful when we began this session that we would have a productive and effective meeting,” said Chairperson, Dr Brandi Robinson. “And I'm very pleased by the many accomplishments that you have achieved!” She went on to summarize the achievements and highlighted that some of the work was only approved at CAC46 in November 2023. “That is [...]

In this interview with the Codex Secretariat, the new Chairperson of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL), Dr Parthi Muthukumarasamy, talks about his background, his experience with Codex and the agenda of the 48th session of CCFL which gets underway in Quebec City, Canada on 27 October 2024. Parthi, thanks for your time. This is going to be the first time for you to chair CCFL. For those who don’t know you, could you please introduce yourself? First of all, let me [...]

Three videos have been produced that describe the FAO-implemented and Republic of Korea-funded Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project and demonstrate some of the successes of the project in the Plurinational State of Bolivia. The first video provides an overview of the Project, describing the four key areas in which improvement will help drive the fight against foodborne antimicrobial resistance. Those four project components promote improved awareness, monitoring and surveillance, governance, and good practices. In the video, [...]

The 27th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (CCRVDF) has opened in Omaha, Nebraska, in the United States of America. Jason Hafemeister, Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, of the United States Department of Agriculture delivered welcome remarks on behalf of the Government of the United States of America. “Codex is essential in our increasingly integrative world,” he said, commenting that standards set by Codex generally and by CCRVDF particularly, are [...]

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), in collaboration with the Global Society for Food Regulatory Science (GFoRSS), organized an international symposium titled “Supporting the Development of the Camel Milk Sector” 24–25 September 2024 in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The event featured representatives from international organizations, government agencies, and the private sector, coinciding with the United Nation’s declaration of 2024 as the International Year of Camelids. The symposium emphasized the importance of camel milk production and included presentations [...]

The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) takes place in Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America from 21 to 25 October 2025. The Committee will be chaired for the second time by Dr Brandi Robinson, USA. In the lead up to the meeting, Brandi sat down with the Codex Secretariat to talk about the committee and its work. Brandi, thanks for your time. You have been involved with CCRVDF for many years now. What’s your take on the [...]

The 36th session of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products has concluded, having worked over a 5-day period 7–11 October, by correspondence, with virtual report adoption on 17 October. The key agenda item under discussion related to the work on a proposed amendment of the Standard for Canned Sardines and Sardine-Type Products (CXS 94-1981), which would see the inclusion in the Standard’s list of species of Sardinella lemuru (Bali Sardinella). The Committee discussed the results of sensory tests that [...]

The Use and impact of Codex texts - Report of the Codex Survey 2023 has been published, with insights into use by Codex Members of four key Codex texts: General Standard for Food Additives (CXS 192-1995) Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling (CXG 2 -1985) Recommended Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CXS 234-1999) Guidelines on Performance Criteria for Methods of Analysis for the Determination of Pesticide Residues in Food and Feed (CXG 90-2017) The 2023 survey has revealed that Codex texts play a critical role in informing [...]