With the 46th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC46) starting next week at FAO HQ, Rome, the Codex Secretariat sat down with the CAC Chairperson, Steve Wearne (United Kingdom), to talk about the Commission, how he intends to chair the meeting and the 60th anniversary of Codex.   Steve, 2023 was yet another intense year for Codex, with 14 committees returning to physical meetings. How would you describe the outcomes of this year so far? Well, you are centainly right. It was a [...]

Six new factsheets were recently published to promote how the “Action to support implementation of Codex AMR (ACT)” project countries work to address foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR). “Managing AMR poses a significant challenge for the world. One way AMR can spread to humans is through food, known as foodborne AMR. Unfortunately, every day, unsafe food causes illnesses and deaths. We work globally and locally to address foodborne AMR through the implementation of Codex AMR texts, and these factsheets provide a snapshot [...]

In welcoming participants to the 85th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC85), taking place in Rome on 20-24 November 2023, Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General of FAO stressed the central role Codex can play in promoting agrifood systems transformation "by developing international food standards that protect consumer health and ensure fair trade practices while supporting the uptake and implementation of policies and programmes that make agrifood systems more sustainable". Recalling the 60th anniversary of the [...]

The Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Steve Wearne, United Kingdom, in consultation with the Vice-Chairpersons, Allan Azegele, Kenya, Raj Rajasekar, New Zealand, and Diego Varela, Chile, and the Codex Secretariat, has published a letter to Codex Members and Observers describing how he intends to conduct discussions on whether the Commission should establish maximum residue limits for zilpaterol hydrochloride, a veterinary drug used to enhance growth performance in cattle, at the 46th Codex Alimentarius Commssion which begins at FAO HQ in Rome, Italy [...]

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2023, 18 - 24 November, a global initiative to raise awareness and encourage action to tackle the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens, is starting today.  Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a threat to humans, animals, plants, and the environment, and it affects everyone. The theme for WAAW 2023, maintained from 2022 is: "Preventing antimicrobial resistance together". The theme emphasizes the need for a One Health approach involving multiple sectors to preserve the efficacy of antimicrobials. Addressing AMR requires collective efforts [...]

Throughout this year, Codex Members and Observers have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which held its first meeting in June 1963. Here’s a taster of what’s been happening around the world. At the very start of the year, the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and the South West Pacific met in Fiji and a celebration cake was enjoyed by delegates including Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, the Honourable Vatimi T. T. K Rayalu and the Codex [...]

A live event held online for Codex Members and Observers on 13 November 2023 provided information on agenda, arrangements, and logistics for the 46th Codex Alimentarius Commission, scheduled at FAO HQ, Rome, from 27 November to 2 December. In opening remarks, the Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Steve Wearne, United Kingdom, said that “with good preparation, and adherence to our core values of inclusivity, collaboration, transparency and consensus-building, I am sure we will have a productive and efficient meeting”. The [...]

A live event will take place for all Codex Members and Observers on Monday, 13 November 2023 from 13:00 to 14:30 CET via Zoom. With interpretation in six languages, all those wishing to learn more about the agenda, arrangements and logistics for the 46th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC46) will be able to hear directly from the Chairperson and the Vice-chairpersons of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the Codex Secretariat. Learn more Register here  Download the programme for the Zoom meeting (English [...]

The Codex General Standard on the Use of Dairy Terms (GSUDT) (CXS 206-1999) took center stage at the Codex-IDF co-hosted webinar, which provided a platform for engaging discussions and insights on the use and implementation of this standard. Raj Rajasekar, Vice-chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, opened the event stating that “The GSUDT is an important text providing key principles and guidelines based on the product identity, integrity, truth in labelling and also fair trade”. Melissa Cameron, Chairperson of the IDF [...]

The report on this year’s World Food Safety Day is out now and ready to view. The 16-page document offers a glimpse into the immense variety of World Food Safety Day celebrations across the world this year and the unprecedented number of events and activities that took place. There were over 500 events in 139 countries. There were gastronomic and tasting events that promoted the enjoyment of food that is safe. There was a range of sports events that highlighted the [...]