The 37th session of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP) has concluded its meeting by correspondence by adopting the report of a fruitful meeting. A number of key decisions were made, and Norway made a key announcement regarding the hosting of the Committee. We asked the chairperson, Vigdis Synnøve Veum to tell us more. Vigdis, the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP) reconvened by correspondence for its 37th session 7 April–7 May 2026. What were the [...]

Are you ready yet? There is just one month to go before World Food Safety Day, which will be celebrated on and around Sunday 7 June. The theme this year, “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere” refers to the anticipated release by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the second report on the estimates of the global burden of foodborne disease (known as the FERG Report). In relation to the first FERG report published in 2015, this second edition [...]

The Codex electronic working groups handbook has now been published in all six United Nations languages. The handbook offers guidance and insight into the work and workings of these working groups – known by their initialism, as “EWGs”. “Electronic working groups play a key role in the standard-setting work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission,” says Codex Secretary, Sarah Cahill, in the foreword to the publication. “It is in these groups that the foundations of many Codex standards, guidelines and codes of [...]

Dr Parthiban Muthukumarasamy, Director-General at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, has been Chairperson of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) since 2024. He has represented Canada at both the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) and the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) and so has been involved firsthand in Codex work and has direct knowledge of the importance of international standards and guidance. We caught up with him to hear more about [...]

Natural disasters have caused around USD 3 trillion in agricultural losses over the past 30 years and continue to trigger public health crises linked to unsafe food and water. To address these risks, FAO is hosting a webinar on 7 May 2026, focused on managing food safety in natural disaster settings.  The event will feature technical experts sharing practical experiences and will highlight key challenges and lessons learned that can serve as models for others. Additionally, new FAO infographics and guidance for consumers facing natural disasters will be officially introduced.  Taking [...]

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is set to reach another significant milestone as the joint Electronic Working Group (EWG) of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) and the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) meets virtually on 28–29 April 2026. This first‑ever virtual joint working group brings together CCPR and CCRVDF in a coordinated effort to advance the harmonization of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for dual‑use compounds - chemicals that may be used either as [...]

The 56th session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) has concluded in Chongqing, China, having seen discussions on a wide range of topics. These included the regular agenda items of endorsement, alignment, changes to the General standard for food additives (GSFA, CXS 192-1995) and International Numbering systems and the priority list, as well as additional items such as a standard for baker’s yeast. Upon report adoption, the Chairperson, Dr Fan, thanked all those involved in the smooth running of [...]

The 56th session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) has opened in Chongqing, China. The CCFA Chairperson, Dr Fan Yongxiang, welcomed the more than 200 people from around 50 countries to the meeting as he introduced the guests of the opening ceremony, who included Li Mingzhu, Commissioner of the Department of International Cooperation at the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and Gong Guoqiang, Deputy Director of the Food Safety Department of the National Health [...]

Two survey templates have been published under the Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project. The templates, one in English and one in Spanish, include appropriate questions aimed at four different stakeholder groups, in order to gauge the extent of understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and related issues among animal producers, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, plant/crop producers and plant/crop technicians. The survey was prepared by the ACT Regional Team in Latin America, with technical contributions from the National [...]

The Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP) has started its 37th session, which is taking place over a one-month period, by correspondence. CCFFP37 will, amongst other things, address the conversion of the Regional standard for laver products (Asia) (CXS 323R-2017) into a worldwide standard, and consider new work proposals on other seaweed species and/or other aquatic species. Also on the agenda is a review of the standards for fish and fishery products to ensure they are up to date in terms of format, taxonomic accuracy, and relatedness [...]