Steve Wearne, Vice-Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, from the United Kingdom, spoke at the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Agreement (or SPS) committee’s thematic session on 3 November 2020, to explain the value that voluntary third-party assurance (vTPA) can add to National Food Control Systems.  Participants heard about the UK experience of using vTPA data in a new approach to animal feed inspection and enforcement, which has achieved an 83 percent reduction in official inspections, while investing more than ever [...]

According to data published by FAO in The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020, global fish production in 2018 is estimated to have reached about 179 million tonnes with fisheries and aquaculture playing a significant and growing role in providing food, nutrition and employment. Fish accounts for 17 percent of the global population’s intake of animal protein. This updated version of the Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products delivers key technical guidance on the harvesting, processing, transport and [...]

In times of self-isolation and quarantine we all rely more than ever on a safe and efficient food supply chain to ensure that food is readily available in every home.  As food shopping in stores and markets becomes more difficult for consumers because of the measures to reduce contact and avoid the person-to-person spread of coronavirus, governments are doing all they can to keep food available on the shelves. To ensure this, the food itself and the people working hard to [...]

Experts gathered in Geneva, Switzerland 16-17 July 2019 for the first meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Nutrition (JEMNU). The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) is currently discussing the most appropriate nitrogen to protein conversion factor (or factors) to use in estimating protein content of soy-based ingredients and milk-based ingredients used in infant formulas and follow-up formulas. The current approved Codex methodology to determine protein is to detect nitrogen and then convert to protein [...]

The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) is updating its keystone text to create a one-stop shop for methods of analysis that will ensure easy access for those using Codex standards. The General Standard on Methods of Analysis and Sampling, CX234, supports many of the other standards in Codex by providing the methods necessary to ensure compliance with Codex texts. The adoption of a new general structure for this fundamental standard at CAC42 in July 2019 heralds a new [...]

Over 100 countries have agreed a range of standards that will now be published as part of the Codex Alimentarius. New work also filling the future Codex agenda Garlic The Standard for dried or dehydrated garlic is the result of the Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs decision in 2017 to elaborate groups of standards by plant parts (as used in the spices and culinary herbs industry) to ease the development of quality specifications by eliminating duplication and thereby facilitating the work of [...]

All new and revised Codex texts now available on line. The Codex mandate is to develop harmonised international food standards, which protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade. The 39th Commission held last July in Rome, adopted 39 Codex texts (Standards, Guidelines and Codes of Practice)  If national governments adopt these standards, as with all Codex standards then barriers to trade are removed and all consumers can benefit from safe food of good quality. One of the new standards deals with nutrition [...]

Codex Alimentarius launches the #CodexCAC39 Instagram contest Post a photo, raise awareness on the importance of Codex.  At the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Rome this June we would like to give our Codex Community the opportunity to highlight why Codex is important in their country.  We are launching the #CodexCAC39 contest on Instagram to share photos related to the work of Codex regarding #foodsafety and fair practices in #foodtrade and to help draw attention to our work globally.  How to participate:  Take a photo of something you want to draw attention [...]