A side session explores the benefits of the WTO ePing system When trading products, governments establish requirements to accomplish policy objectives including the protection of human, animal and plant health, or protection of the environment. The World Trade Organization (WTO) SPS and TBT Agreements aim to ensure that these requirements do not create unnecessary obstacles to international trade. Under the WTO, Members are required to notify other Members before adopting new measures if these are likely to affect international trade and provide an opportunity [...]

A side event about the FAO/WHO Scientific Advice Programmes Delegates gained a better understanding of how FAO and WHO provide scientific support for the development of Codex standards during a CAC41 side event. Panellists described how the requests for scientific advice for food safety and nutrition are managed, how the experts are selected and the way the topics are chosen for the risk assessments. The panel, comprised of FAO and WHO officers, also explained the links between the FAO/WHO Scientific Advice Programmes and the [...]

The Codex Alimentarius Commission ready to adopt new standards in its 41st session ‘Transformational opportunities’ was the overarching theme of the opening ceremony of the Codex Alimentarius Commission today. As the body responsible for all matters regarding the implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, led by Chairperson Guilherme da Costa, geared up to adopt new standards this week, they were reminded that Codex standards are central to the global agenda for sustainable development.  “One of the greatest challenges the world [...]

Executive Committee begins two days of deliberations in Rome The Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC) brings together strategists and technical experts from the global Codex community who are meeting this week at FAO HQ in Rome. Embracing positive change Dr Renata Clarke, Head of the FAO Food Safety and Quality Unit in the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department, in welcoming delegates, stated that her unit had been preparing to make better use of the food chain intelligence in FAO. “There [...]

Codex members and observers met in Edinburgh, UK from 28-31 May 2018 to continue work on the development of guidance on two draft Codex texts. The first deals with regulatory approaches to third party assurance schemes and aims to promote a harmonised and robust approach when countries consider such schemes to enhance their regulatory arrangements and delivery of official controls within the National Food Control System (NFCS). The second refers to the use of systems equivalence and is intended to cover situations [...]

On Thursday and Friday 24-25 May, 40 participants from 26 of the 33 countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean (CCLAC) region gathered in Asunción, Paraguay for training on the online web tools that form a central part of food safety standards development in Codex. Following successful workshops in Nairobi and Dakar, this third leg in the series of regional programmes in Paraguay was a valuable opportunity for those working in national standard setting structures and for Codex Contact Points [...]

Representing the Codex Secretariat at the OIE 86th General Session on 22 May 2018, Senior Food Standards Officer Hilde Kruse participated in a panel discussion with IGOs on “Establishing trust in the multilateral trade system through transparency and standards implementation monitoring”. The panel included representatives from FAO, Codex Alimentarius, World Bank, WHO and WTO; considered key partner organizations having an agreement with the OIE, and centered around a discussion on “Establishing trust in the multilateral trade system through transparency and Standard’s [...]

The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods opened its 24th session in Chicago, Illinois, United States today, discussing a number of specific ways to restrict the amounts of veterinary drug residues in foods to levels that are safe for human consumption. Committed to Codex During his keynote speech, US Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, proclaimed his passion for what Codex does, noting its emphasis on science. “The United States as a country, [...]

Experts gather in Haikou, China to establish maximum limits for pesticide residues in food and feed. The 50th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues began on Monday 9 April in Haikou, China and concludes Friday. Since 1966 the committee has established over 5000 Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticide residues covering 303 pesticides. Pesticides are used to protect crops against insects, weeds, fungi and other pests. Pesticides are potentially toxic to humans and can have both acute and chronic health [...]

The Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods begins its twelfth session in Utrecht, The Netherlands on Monday 12th March. The committee is chaired by Dr Wieke Tas of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Food Quality in The Netherlands. Environmental contaminants Q: The agenda starts with the industrial and environmental contaminants. What progress has been made on establishing maximum levels (MLs) for lead and for cadmium in chocolate and what needs to be done next to complete this work? A: There’s a difference between lead [...]