In Timor Leste a four-day mock Codex committee session has taken place this week as part of training to help the country’s Codex representatives understand how Codex works and how to participate effectively in Codex sessions. The training is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of the Timor Leste Codex Trust Fund (CTF) project. Timor Leste is the newest Member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

The mock session saw the supposed 3rd session of the Codex Committee on Food Safety (CCFS) meet in Dili, Timor-Leste, with three countries - Countries A, B and C - participating. In addition, there were two Observer organizations. The CCFS discussed several items including arrangements for the 60th anniversary of Codex Alimentarius, the revision of the standards for kimchi and fruit juices, draft standards for fresh dates and a revision of the General Standard for Food Labelling in relation to labelling of allergens. The committee also discussed proposals for new work on avocado, curry leaves and moringa. Attendees participated enthusiastically in the session. “This training is very useful for us, as a new Member of the Codex,” said Dr Nilton da Costa Cruz, Head of Department for Specialized Support at the Ministry of Health. “It will build us to actively participate in Codex meetings,” he said. Tomasia de Sousa, Senior Environmental Health Officer and INFOSAN focal point at the Ministry of Health agreed. “This training organized by WHO was useful for Timor Leste,” she said.

The training was conducted by former Codex Alimentarius Commission Chairperson, Sanjay Dave and India’s Codex Contact Point, Perumal Karthikeyan. They also ran a high-level Codex Advocacy Workshop to sensitize policy makers at the highest levels. After adoption of the CCFS report, they conducted a quiz, explaining the correct answers to each question.

A closing programme was also organized by WHO.

Learn more

Codex Trust Fund web pages