A commitment to food safety in Paraguay with Codex

Asunción, Paraguay

The Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) is tasked with drafting “provisions on labelling applicable to all foods,” which makes it one of the areas in Codex that directly and visibly touches all our lives almost every time we make a food purchase.

The permanent hosts of CCFL, Canada, are co-hosting this meeting from 16-20 October in Asunción, Paraguay together with the National Institute of Technology, Standardization and Metrology (http://www.intn.gov.py/). Co-hosting arrangements of this kind between governments allow those involved in food safety, trade and all aspects of Codex international standard setting work in the region to gain first-hand experience and meet with global experts from the wider Codex community.

Topics under discussion throughout the week include date marking, the labelling of non-retail containers and nutrition labelling. Codex work on labelling is a direct and highly visible response to ensure that food is safe, of expected quality and can be traded without undue restrictions. Different labelling systems can create problems for export and trade. Global consistency also allows consumers to better understand the food choices they make.

A commitment to food safety in Paraguay with Codex

Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce, Oscar Stark

In opening the meeting, Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce, Oscar Stark told delegates that "in Paraguay Codex standards are used to demonstrate a commitment to food safety".

Harmonization of food labelling

Speaking to the Codex Secertariat, Mr Stark said: "As a co-hosting country we hope to contribute to the work of CCFL, such as the harmonization of food labeling in its different aspects and the strengthening and the empowerment of the different actors involved also at national level."

"At the same time, we hope that Paraguay will become a strategic location in the continent for future international events,” he said.

Director General of the National Institute of Standards, Technology and Metrology of Paraguay (INTN), Dr Lilian Martinez de Alonso said: "For this meeting we expect that all delegates not only show consensus on approving new standards and new work of the Committee, but we also look forward to presenting a proactive response to food labelling issues, always considering food safety and quality as a way of protecting the health of consumers."

The Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission Guilherme da Costa said: "Food labelling is the principle means between food producers and consumers to ensure safety and transparency."

Follow items on the CCFL agenda here.

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16/10/2017