In Düsseldorf, Germany an extended session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) with nearly 400 delegates in attendance, kicked off Sunday 24 November 2019. Speaking via a video message Julia Klöckner, German Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, said that with over 820 million people still suffering from hunger whilst at the same time almost a third of the global population is affected by excess weight and obesity, nutrition and health policies must respond, and Codex plays a pivotal role. Codex also devotes its energy to young children, who are particularly vulnerable and therefore need special protection, she said.

Lorenz Franken, DG, German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture

Lorenz Franken Director General for Consumer Health Protection, Food and Nutrition, Product Safety, in the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, welcomed delegates. Health protection and the removal of trade barriers are more important than ever in a globalized world and growing international trade and other emerging problems have increased the complexity of the international food system.

We should work hard to improve the visibility of Codex.

“Ensuring food safety should be high on the political agenda in every country and participation in Codex work plays a key role in harmonizing food safety and quality”, he said. CCNFSDU has a responsibility to drive the delivery of safer and quality food for a growing world population. “We should work hard to improve the visibility of Codex and seek to raise awareness of the importance of Codex and food safety among all relevant stakeholders”, he said.

Purwiyatno Hariyadi, Indonesia, vicechairperson Codex Alimentarius Commission

"Codex, as a body operating within the framework of the UN, has a shared responsibility to contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals”, said Purwiyatno Hariyadi, Indonesia, vice-chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. “The outcomes of our deliberations are expected to help every actor along the global food supply chain in assuring the safety and nutrition of food products important for maintaining a healthy and active life", he said.

Codex Secretary Tom Heilandt

The essential work of CCNFSDU.

Codex Secretary Tom Heilandt spoke of the essential work CCNFSDU performs in dealing with foods which are not consumed by the ones who buy them but which are bought for those who they care about most: infants and small children. “The first 1 000 days have been called a critical window of opportunity for growth and development in a child’s life. Nutritional gains during this period continue to benefit the child throughout life, while the damage from nutritional losses also lasts a lifetime”, he said.

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Follow the working documents for this session.