María de los Angeles Gatica is the regional coordinator for the Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project, which helps countries contain foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR). She is one of the youngest project leaders across FAO. We spoke to her about her role and about what has motivated her to help the ACT project to its impressive successes so far. Can you tell us about your personal background? I grew up in a rural community on the outskirts of [...]

In Tajikistan, the national workshop “Launch of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Trust Fund Project. Priority Committees. Codex Electronic Tools” was held in Dushanbe, 18–20 November 2024. The workshop marks the start of the FAO/WHO Codex Trust Fund (CTF) project in the country. The event was opened with a series of welcoming speeches from the representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Said Davlatzoda, the representatuive of the WHO Country Office, Umeda Sadykova, and WHO expert Nailya Karsybekova of [...]

The FAO-implemented and Republic of Korea-funded Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project is being carried out in six countries, of which one is the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Here, the Project has made great progress in helping the national authorities improve governance of the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and has supported training to improve surveillance and monitoring of foodborne AMR. Carolina Tejerina is a protagonist in these activities, and we spoke with her to find out [...]

The 87th session of the Codex Alimentarius Executive Committee (CCEXEC87) has started at the International Conference Center Geneva to discuss issues outstanding before the meeting of the 47th Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC47).  The meeting was opened by Francesco Branca, Director of Nutrition and Food Safety, WHO, who noted that “Codex is a unique platform for driving real change in global food systems. A platform for science-based discussions that lead to immediate regulatory actions and real transformation”. He continued his intervention, by stressing [...]

From 6 to 9 November 2024, over 40 delegates from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam attended the CCASIA Codex “Workshop on Food Control Systems and Risk Assessment” held in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China. In addition, representatives from Afghanistan, India and the Maldives participated online. China, as the Coordinator of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Asia, organized this programme. The programme aimed to address the regional Members' needs for optimizing food [...]

The Joint ACT/FF3 meeting took place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from November 4–8. The “Action to Support Implementation of Codex AMR Texts (ACT)” project, funded by the Republic of Korea, and the FAO Fleming Fund 3 (FF3) global initiative, funded by the United Kingdom’s Fleming Fund, came together for their first joint meeting to share experiences and challenges, foster mutual learning, and plan collaboratively for the year ahead. Cambodia was highlighted as a model country due to its active involvement in [...]

The 29th edition of the Codex Alimentarius Commission Procedural Manual has been published, with updates reflecting revisions to the previous edition. This edition builds on the new format and layout unveiled in the 28th edition, reflecting ongoing efforts to ensure consistency, remove redundancies, and enhance usability.  “Every year, the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its subsidiary bodieslook at the Codex Procedural Manual and propose amendments as necessary” – said Sarah Cahill, Codex Secretary – “With this new version, which includes editorial changes [...]

by Awilo Ochieng Pernet, Former Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission The 8th Shenzhen Food Safety Forum 2024, which took place on 5-6 November 2024 in Shenzhen (China) highlighted the importance of ensuring food safety in future in light of the rapid innovations and constant new developments in the food industry. On this occasion, the “Safety Supervision of Food Production” book was also launched. This High-level Forum was hosted by the Shenzhen Food and Drug Safety Commission Office with the full support provided [...]

The 48th session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling has concluded in Quebec City, Canada. In his closing remarks Chairperson Parthi Muthukumarasamy thanked delegates for “the great work for the last 4 or 5 days. “We had an additional day of plenary at CCFL48,” he said, “thanks for the great work and thanks to everyone for staying an additional day in order for us to make progress on a number of texts, which we have done, through the collaboration [...]

The importance of aquatic foods in global nutrition and food security cannot be overstated. Valued for their nutritional benefits and their contribution to livelihoods, the production and per capita consumption of aquatic foods have seen significant growth over the past decades. This trend is expected to continue, highlighting the crucial role these foods play in global food and nutrition. However, with increased production and consumption come associated risks. Understanding the food safety hazards linked to aquatic foods is essential for [...]