This edition of the Codex podcast highlights the results of the 46th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which adopted 500 new and revised Codex standards - including numerical standards - guidelines and codes of practice. We talk to Steve Wearne, Chairperson of CAC, United Kingdom, and Sarah Cahill, Senior Food Standards Officer, looking back to what happened at CAC46, 60 years of Codex and looking forward to the new work and meetings in 2024. “My wish for Codex Members and [...]

By Khadija Qalandari, Acting, Head of Technical Follow-up Standard Specifications Section, UAE   The UAE National Codex Committee (NCC), led by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Higher Technology (CCP), organised a scientific workshop to mark the 60th anniversary of the first meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). The workshop was held to review the work of Codex and highlight its role in the development of international standards. The audience of the [...]

Throughout this year, Codex Members and Observers have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), which held its first meeting in June 1963. The celebrations began in January at the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and the South West Pacific, in Fiji, and then continued across the world and in the various Codex regions, before culminating in the opening ceremony of the 46th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC46).  A 60-year journey that has witnessed the transformation and [...]

By Ms. Sylvia KIRABO, Head of Public Relations and Marketing, Uganda National Bureau of Standards As part of the Codex Trust Fund (CTF) Group project currently being implemented in five Countries of the East African Community (EAC), a regional validation meeting was held in Mombasa, Kenya, from 15th to 17th of November 2023. The meeting, with participants from Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan and Uganda, focused on the use and implementation of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction [...]

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has teamed up with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSAII), to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, with a seminar targeted towards students throughout India. The seminar focused on the role of Codex in protecting consumer health while facilitating fair practices in the food trade, and highlighted how enhanced collaborations across countries can contribute to a better food safety, providing effective risk communication, regulatory harmonization, and the ability to [...]

Earlier this month, the 46th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission agreed to adopt key new guidelines on the safe use and re-use of water in food production and processing. These guidelines provide a framework of general principles and examples for applying a risk-based approach to determine if the water to be sourced, used, and re-used by food business operators involved in food production and processing is fit for purpose from a microbiological safety perspective. “Access to potable water is not always [...]

В Астане в рамках проекта Трастового фонда Кодекса прошла конференция на тему: «Кодекс Алиментариус. Итоги, извлеченные уроки, успехи». Конференция является заключительным мероприятием проекта, который был направлен на формирование устойчивого национального потенциала в области Кодекс Алиментариус. В работе конференции приняли участие руководители государственных органов и представители международных организаций ФАО, ВОЗ, ВООЗЖ. Участники конференции рассказали об актуальных проблемах безопасности пищевых продуктов и обсудили совместные подходы к повышению безопасности и качества жизни населения. Международный эксперт ВОЗ Еронимас Маскелюнас дал высокую экспертную оценку реализации Проекта Трастового фонда. Было [...]

by Ms Rosine Niyonshuti, Secretary, National Codex Committee, Rwanda On December 7th, 2023 the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), held a workshop to increase the country’s participation in the development and dissemination of information on international food standards of Codex. Through the presentation on the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), panel discussions and updates on Codex work, the workshop aimed to raise awareness of government officials, industry, academia and consumers on the functioning of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and of the National Codex Committee. The workshop provided [...]

As part of a series of side events held at the 46th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Rome, 1 December, five countries offered examples from their national experiences that demonstrate the impact of Codex standards. In introducing the event, FAO Food Safety Officer Catherine Bessy outlined the four strategic outcomes FAO is aiming for as part of efforts to develop capacity on food safety. Madagascar, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uganda then all provided different perspectives and different examples of [...]

Embarking on a transformative quest, delegates from the Ethiopian National Codex Committee made a pivotal trip across Europe via France, Brussels and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, arranged by the European Union (EU) Codex Contact Point. This trip was an opening to enhance Ethiopia's involvement in Codex activities at national, regional and global levels. The delegates gained an immense insight during their seven-day tour, taking inspiration from France’s and the Netherlands’ roles hosting the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP) and [...]