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 [...]

As part of the celebrations for the 120th anniversary of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) and the 60th anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the IDF Standing Committee for Standards of Identity and Labelling (SCSIL) and the Codex Secretariat are organizing the webinar “Implementing Codex Standards: case studies on the General Standard for the Use of Dairy Terms (GSUDT)”. IDF launched a survey in 2022 among its members on how the GSUDT has been implemented at national and/or regional levels. [...]

The Codex Secretariat has extended the deadline for countries to participate in the second survey to measure the use and impact of Codex texts. The new date to complete the survey is 15 November 2023. “It is important for us to hear from our Members. We hope that the new deadline gives more time to collect the information and participate in the survey”, said Farid El Haffar, Codex Secretariat Officer in charge of the survey. This year, the survey focuses on the [...]

On the occasion of the World Food Forum, a youth-led movement and network to transform our agrifood systems, we had a chat with Espoir Agbohouto and Minh Nguyen, two young food safety experts currently working with FAO and the Codex Secretariat, respectively. In this interview, they explain how they developed a passion for food safety and how young generations can contribute to safer and more sustainable agrifood systems. Dear Espoir and Minh, thanks for your time. Why did you choose to study [...]

World Food Day 2023 is celebrated under the theme "Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind". FAO is hosting a week-long series of events from Monday 16 to Friday 20 October welcoming world leaders, experts, changemakers, youth and indigenous activists to spark global action for water, climate action and sustainable agrifood systems. Water is essential for life and it is, indeed, food. But it is also essential in food production and processing. Ensuring that water coming into contact [...]

World Standards Day is marked every year on 14 October and in 2023 the theme is: “shared vision for a better world: Incorporating SDG 3”. Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3) focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. As the FAO/WHO international food standards setting body, Codex Alimentarius supports the World Standards Day vision for “a world that is better, fairer, and more sustainable, prioritizing the well-being and health of all”. When implemented, international food standards play a vital [...]

The International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA), an NGO with Observer Status with Codex based in London, UK, celebrated Codex@60 in July by lighting up the building of their Danish member association in orange. We talked to them about why this anniversary is significant for them. Why it was important to mark 60 years of Codex for IADSA? Codex has been critical for our sector by establishing the Codex guidelines on vitamin and mineral supplements and all the horizontal texts, such as additives, labelling, claims, [...]

The 33rd session of the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP) took important steps towards improving the Procedural Manual, which has been made available in its new format on the Codex Alimentarius website. CCGP33 participants discussed obsolete and outdated content, the guide for amendments and revision for Codex texts and identified other areas for further examination. The Codex Secretariat announced that, aligning with FAO and WHO paperless policies, future editions of the PM will only be available electronically. “CCGP33 was [...]

The first survey on the use and impact of Codex texts, launched on 20 September 2022, reports that the large majority of Codex Members, more than 80 percent, are satisfied with these international food texts. Steve Wearne, Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, welcomed the publication and commented that “Monitoring the use and impact of Codex texts provides key information on how Codex is assisting Members in protecting consumer health and facilitating fair trade practices”. He also underlined that “by adhering to [...]