In opening remarks at the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) taking place in Portland, Oregon, United States of America from 13 to 17 February 2023, Chairperson Brandi Robinson said “CCRVDF serves a very important role by providing a transparent forum where we can develop science-based standards which will meet Members’ needs, protect consumers, and ensure fair trade practices in the food trade.” The value veterinary drugs play to the health and wellbeing of animals and a [...]

The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) takes place in Portland, Oregon, United States of America from 13 to 17 February 2023. The Committee will be chaired for the first time by Brandi Robinson. In the lead up to the meeting Brandi responded to a series of questions from the Codex Secretariat. Q: What’s your day job for those who don’t know you? A: I work for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, where I [...]

The 15th Berlin Agricultural Ministers’ Conference took place on 21 January 2023, with the theme “Agrifood systems transformation: a worldwide response to multiple crises". Tom Heilandt, Codex Secretary, spoke of the importance of using all international fora to improve cooperation regarding global food systems. “Applying Codex standards helps remove trade barriers,” he said, explaining how a global structure like Codex can also drive and enhance policy coherence. A final communiqué from the meeting, agreed by approximately 70 countries present, underlined the [...]

A Codex expert panel discussion “Is the Codex system fit for the future?” took place on Friday 20 January 2023 at the annual Global Forum for Food and Agriculture organized, in Berlin, Germany, by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General FAO, described Codex as “a public good to serve countries in defending their standards, in protecting consumers and ensuring also fair trade.” Speaking also of the need to respond to interconnected challenges in agriculture, [...]

Jose Emilio Esteban, Chairperson of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), has been confirmed as the new United States of America Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety. In a statement following the swearing in of Dr Esteban, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said: “I am confident that Dr. Esteban’s leadership and experience is the right combination to advance our commitment to maintaining public health and reducing foodborne illness.” Emilio Esteban has chaired the Food Hygiene Committee since its fortieth session [...]

Today WHO launches the updated Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030, adopted by the 75th World Health Assembly, in a step towards a safer and healthier world and towards strengthening multisectoral collaboration and innovative public health approaches. This new Strategy addresses current and emerging challenges, incorporates new technologies and includes innovative approaches for strengthening food safety systems. It also reflects feedback received through a comprehensive consultation process with Member States and and other intergovernmental organizations and institutions and the members of [...]

An online event hosted by the Codex Secretariat at 12:00 CEST on Tuesday 20 September 2022 will see the launch of a new Codex survey to measure the use and impact of Codex standards. This survey, developed with the evaluation units of FAO and WHO will seek valuable input from countries on the reach, usefulness, and how a sample of Codex texts are used. The data will contribute to monitoring under the Codex Strategic Plan 2022-2025. The event will bring together [...]

Opening the 53rd session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR), being held virtually from 4-8 July 2022 , Chief Veterinary Officer LI Jinxiang from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China, said: “The work of the CCPR not only has a significant influence on the development of national pesticide residue standards, but also plays an increasingly important role in strengthening the exchanges and cooperation in pesticide residue control.” He looked forward to a productive meeting where delegates [...]

In opening remarks to the 82nd session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, taking place virtually from 20-24 June 2022, Maria-Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General FAO recalled the vital role science-based analytical tools and normative work play in providing support to countries, especially in response to the worsening global food security situation due to the pandemic, disasters, conflict and climate change. Maria-Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General FAO “The work you oversee here in the Executive Committee is a key part of [...]

By Brandi Robinson, Food and Drug Administration, United States of AmericaChairperson Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (CCRVDF) Veterinarians have contributed to the development of Codex codes of practice, guidelines, and standards on many topics ranging from animal feeding to contaminants in feed, to residues of veterinary drugs in food, to antimicrobial resistance. With their expertise, veterinarians are integral to the ongoing work of the CCRVD which is charged with developing standards for veterinary drug residues found in food [...]