One of the aims of the Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project is to raise awareness among stakeholders along the food production chain, about the need for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials. When these drugs are overused or misused, they can become ineffective against bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections, leading to what is known as antimicrobial resistance, or AMR. The ACT project is being implemented in six countries. Two of these are Bolivia (Plurinational State [...]

As part of FAO's Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) with the Islamic Republic of Iran to enhance integrated pistachio supply chain management, focusing on productivity, harvesting, processing and compliance with food safety regulations, the FAO country office in Iran organized a 4-day training programme 13–16 April to support stakeholders to better understand the role of international safety and quality standards in the pistachio supply chain. Former Codex Alimentarius Commission Chairperson, Sanjay Dave, was invited to give a presentation about the World Trade [...]

New food sources and production systems (NFPS) are emerging worldwide, in response to changing agrifood systems, potentially altering the food landscape in the next 5 to 25 years. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Food Safety Foresight Programme conducted a multi-phase foresight exercise to explore potential food safety implications related to the growing NFPS space. Through expert consultations and a structured methodology combining a two-part Delphi survey and mind mapping, the exercise identified 44 emerging innovations across [...]

The 11th session of the newly re-activated Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes has got underway by correspondence in order to start work on a group standard for whole millet grains. The new work was agreed in November 2024, at the 47th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC47), following a proposal from India. CAC47 agreed that millets are an essential source of nutrition, are widely traded and consumed in some regions, and are an important food for infants and [...]

By Hakim B. Mufumbiro, Regional Coordinator, FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa Food Safety Experts drawn from 23 African countries (Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe) completed an intensive 5-day training session on Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) for animal disposition studies that was held in Rabat, Morocco ,31 March to 4 April 2025. The main purpose of the training was to [...]

On 7 April 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) launches its "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures" campaign for World Health Day, spotlighting maternal and newborn health, with a sharp focus on nutrition. This year’s initiative urges governments, health communities, and stakeholders to intensify efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths while prioritizing women’s long-term well-being. The campaign aligns with global health goals, emphasizing the critical role of nutrition in early life—a focus shared by Codex. Healthy beginnings rely on access to safe, [...]

In the world of international food standards, a key committee is preparing for a significant task: establishing a group standard for whole millet grains. Ken Lowery, United States of America, a long-serving delegates within the Codex Alimentarius Commission, steps into the chair's role for CCCPL11, bringing nearly two decades of experience to the table. As the committee shifts to working through correspondence, we interviewed Ken to learn more about the challenges and opportunities of this new working method, the agenda of [...]

By Milagrosa Mondlane, Secretary, National Codex Committee, Eswatini Standards Authority The Eswatini National Codex Committee (NCC) convened a national meeting on Friday 21 March 2025 at the Eswatini Standards Authority to review and plan strategic activities for the 2025/26 period. This critical session aimed to strengthen Eswatini’s engagement with the international Codex Alimentarius framework and ensure that national food safety and quality standards align with global best practices. The discussions focused on reviewing past performance, identifying challenges, and setting priorities for the [...]

On 27 February 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) officially launched the JECFA Toolbox for Veterinary Drug Residues Risk Assessment. FAO hosted a launch event on Zoom, attracting over 150 attendees from 50 countries (see the summary report for more details).   The JECFA Toolbox for Veterinary Drug Residues Risk Assessment describes the process used by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) when assessing the risks of veterinary drug residues in animal-derived food products consumed by humans. The key output of [...]

On 27 March 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) conducted an in-house training session on the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and its relevance to food safety, for approximately 50 of its technical officials. Dr Alka Rao, Advisor, Science and Standards and Regulations, who serves as both the SPS Enquiry Point of India for food safety and the Codex Contact Point for India, underscored the significance of the WTO SPS Agreement [...]