With just two days to go to World Food Safety Day, FAO has published a new podcast in their series, The Work We Do, with Codex Secretary, Sarah Cahill.

In this episode, Katrin Park, the host, sits down with the Codex Secretary to break down the complex world of international food standards for an audience that is not necessarily familiar with the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

In the podcast, Sarah explains how Codex was created, how standards are developed, why science is central to the process - and why some negotiations take years. The episode also explores some of the debates that have shaped Codex, from pesticide residues and follow-up formula to growth-promoting hormones in meat production.

The conversation also looks ahead. On a warming planet, food safety risks are changing as rising water temperature expands the areas where marine toxins can occur. New foods and production systems, including seaweed and cell-based foods, are raising questions that regulators are only beginning to consider.

The Work We Do is FAO’s podcast exploring how the organization connects science, policy, and practice to help countries build agrifood systems that are resilient, inclusive, and sustainable through data and people who drive change.

Tune in to learn about Codex, its defining moments and future in a changing world!

Watch the podcast here

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud | Apple podcasts | Spotify

Read more

World Food Safety Day 2026