For the first time Codex members and observers can participate remotely in the plenary discussion of a meeting, providing comments and inputs in real time thanks to the use of webinar technology. This is a milestone in the Codex approach to developing standards by ensuring broader and simultaneous participation. The new tool is in use this week in Santiago, Chile, where Codex members and observers are attending the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) [...]

Codex Chairperson Guilherme Costa and Vice-Chairperson Purwiyatno Hariyadi praised the commitment and achievements of countries in the CCASIA region and called on the skill and experience of the private sector to continue to develop partnerships that can strengthen the work of Codex. Speaking at the 12th CII Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Summit held in New Delhi India 4-5 December 2017, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Costa said that Codex standards are taken up by industry and governments if [...]

Today at an event organised by Codex at FAO HQ in Rome, Ms Geannina Dinarte Romero, Minister for Economy, Industry and Commerce of Costa Rica, called on countries to support the initiative for a World Food Safety Day that would signal the right for all people to have access to safe and nutritious food in sufficient quantity.  There can be no food security, no zero hunger without food safety The Director-General of FAO Mr José Graziano da Silva, opening the meeting, stated [...]

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) invited its members as well as representatives of various standards bodies - such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance (ISEAL) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission – along with NGOs and academia to the Palais des Nations in Geneva to explore the role of standards in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during an international conference on 28-29 November 2017. [...]

The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) studies specific nutritional problems, drafts general provisions concerning the nutritional aspects of all foods and develops standards for foods for special dietary uses. The 39th meeting is taking place this week in Berlin, Germany attended by over 350 delegates from nearly 70 countries and over 30 international observer organizations. Opening the meeting, Parliamentary State Secretary Dr. Maria Flachsbarth underlined the continuing importance of the work of the committee in protecting [...]

The new Codex website launches today with a clean, clear user experience and a range of new features. The website is the home for all Codex work. You will find dedicated thematic pages that highlight the broad scope of the Codex programme in areas such as contaminants, nutrition, antimicrobial resistance and biotechnology, allowing new visitors to begin to understand the work and impact of the food safety standards Codex develops. Six new regional web pages have been designed to promote specific Codex activities [...]

On November 28, 2017, a workshop took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic to raise awareness about the importance of the work of Codex for members of Parliament and high level government employees. This workshop was organized and conducted by the Center for Standardization and Metrology under the Ministry of Economy of the Kyrgyz Republic in cooperation with the WHO country office The meeting was also supported by the FAO/WHO Codex Trust Fund as part of the Kyrgyz project on improvement of [...]

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, Check with delivered It is an honor for me to be here on Jeju Island and assist in the 5th Session of the Codex Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance.  First, let me thank our hosts from the Republic of Korea for their kind offer to continue their contribution to the task force and especially our chairperson Prof Park. Codex could not work without its host governments and the Codex chairs – they are the backbone of [...]

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) antimicrobial resistance is an increasingly serious threat to global public health that requires action across all government sectors and society. What is AMR? Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others. (WHO) Codex Task Force The Codex Alimentarius Commission agreed in July [...]

Thursday 23 November - Geneva I look forward to continuing to work together and strengthening the partnership between our organizations WTO Director-General Ambassador Roberto Azevêdo.   The Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), Guilherme Costa, met the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General, Ambassador Roberto Azevêdo, in Geneva. Mr Costa is currently in Geneva attending a series of meetings. During the meeting with Ambassador Azevêdo, the Codex Chair informed him about the work which is being developed by the Codex Chairs and Vice-Chairs and [...]