A recent surveillance study of foodborne antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Cambodia has revealed an urgent need for stricter regulations on antimicrobial use in the country’s livestock sector. Carried out under the FAO-implemented and Republic of Korea-funded Action to support implementation of Codex AMR texts (ACT) project, the study also underscores the importance of routine AMR monitoring, and the adoption of targeted interventions, such as improved biosecurity measures and vaccination programmes, to reduce the need of antibiotics and mitigate the spread [...]

In December 2024, the Codex Trust Fund (CTF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of the Republic of Korea, organized the third joint training on good Codex practices. A total of ten trainees from five CTF beneficiary countries (Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Rwanda and Senegal) participated in the training, which focused on: Korea’s inter-governmental cooperation for participating in Codex meetings, and introduction to work experiences Guide to the Codex standards development process relating to traditional Korean [...]

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a comprehensive and practical toolbox designed to help those assessing the risks of veterinary drug residues in food. 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.    Join us for the launch of the JECFA Toolbox on Thursday, 27 February [...]

The World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement) references the texts developed by three standards setting bodies, as the reference standards for plant and animal health and food safety in international trade. Those three bodies are the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). These bodies are known collectively as the three sisters. When implemented, the standards set by the three sisters help to ensure [...]

As 2025 begins, we asked Codex Secretary Sarah Cahill to reflect on the past year, and these are her thoughts. With 17 meetings, hundreds of newly adopted standards and a new Strategic Plan, 2024 was surely a busy year for Codex. What have been the highlights or things you could not possibly have imagined?  It was an intense but productive year and while the adoption of new Codex texts, a new Strategic Plan and election of a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons are always [...]

As 2024 draws to a close, the newly elected Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Allan Azegele, Kenya, looks back on the outcome of the 47th Commission meeting and shares his view on the future of Codex. Allan, congratulations on your election. Thank you for the congratulatory message. I feel deeply honored and humbled to have been elected to the role of Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all members for placing your trust [...]

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is taking place this week, 18–24 November, in order to raise awareness globally not only about the threats posed by the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), but of the ways in which we can collectively tackle the problem.  AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics. As a result, antimicrobial drugs become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, [...]

A side event to the 47th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, organized by the Codex Alimentarius Secretariat and held on Friday 29 November, explored the different ways in which Codex texts are understood to facilitate fair practices in the food trade. The seven-person panel that, Codex Secretary Sarah Cahill observed in her opening remarks to the event, was entirely made up of Codex observers, considered whether and how Codex does in fact facilitate fair practices in the food trade. The moderator, [...]

The 47th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has concluded, with the adoption of the report, the election of a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons and an agreed way forward for the new Strategic Plan 2026–2031. This session sees the conclusion of the tenure of CAC Chairperson Steve Wearne and Vice-Chairpersons, Allan Azegele, Diego Varela and Raj Rajasekar. Allan Azegele was elected as the new Chairperson and he steps into his new role now that CAC47 has concluded, as do the [...]

A side event was held on the margins of the 47th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, titled “Consumer food safety education and advocacy including through digital platforms: opportunities and challenges.” The event, which was organized by Switzerland and moderated by Awilo Ochieng Pernet of the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, heard from seven Codex Members about their experiences in developing tools to effectively communicate about and promote food safety awareness among consumers. Speakers [...]