“Codex benefits almost everyone around the world, even though most people will never hear of it,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, greeting over 600 online delegates at the opening of the forty-fourth session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is being held virtually from 8 to 18 November 2021. Tedros went on to underline the critical role Codex standards play in improving the safety and quality of food, protecting and promoting consumer health and nutrition, and protecting fair trade practices. “WHO and FAO are proud to support this work with scientific advice, and I would like to acknowledge all the experts that have contributed to this effort,” he said.

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General told delegates: “The standards you develop here in Codex help ensure the food we grow, produce, process, trade and consume is safe.”  With reference to the doubts that emerged about the risks from COVID-19 in food, QU underlined the role FAO together with WHO and Codex had played in responding with advice for producers, businesses and consumers. “Without a doubt, COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of working in an integrated manner across disciplines and with other stakeholders,” he said.

Thousands of delegates and over 100 Codex Members have participated in the first fully virtual Codex year including 11 technical bodies presenting over 30 standards for adoption at this Commission. “By harnessing the latest technology, you have ensured that Codex remained open for business and continued to be the global platform to develop food safety and quality standards that protect consumers and facilitate fair practices in food trade – everywhere,” said the Director-General.

Saluting participants for the last time as Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Guilherme Da Costa, Brazil, said “the Codex Alimentarius has continued to push the standard setting-process step by step in this entirely different environment.” Codex work should be focused on mutual cooperation, and “build consensus in the interests of the world as far as food safety and fair practices in food trade are concerned,” he said.

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