A side event about pathways to learning Codex Member countries discussed the recent food safety-related capacity development initiatives that they undertook with FAO and WHO, during a side event on the first day of the 41st session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC41). The conversation centred on FAO- and WHO-led initiatives that complement the work of Codex, by building food safety capacities in countries using relevant tools, guidance and publications. To achieve sustainable results at country level and ensure that efforts bring about lasting [...]

A side event about Codex Trust Fund 2 project results of the first round Codex Members again took center stage during a Codex Alimentarius Commission side event, this time to present progress resulting from Codex Trust Fund 2 (CTF2) support. Ghana, the Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar and Senegal received funding for projects aimed at strengthening their national Codex structures in 2016, during the first round of the CTF2, and offered tips that could help the ten recipient countries of the second round [...]

The Codex Alimentarius Commission ready to adopt new standards in its 41st session ‘Transformational opportunities’ was the overarching theme of the opening ceremony of the Codex Alimentarius Commission today. As the body responsible for all matters regarding the implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, led by Chairperson Guilherme da Costa, geared up to adopt new standards this week, they were reminded that Codex standards are central to the global agenda for sustainable development.  “One of the greatest challenges the world [...]

Executive Committee begins two days of deliberations in Rome The Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC) brings together strategists and technical experts from the global Codex community who are meeting this week at FAO HQ in Rome. Embracing positive change Dr Renata Clarke, Head of the FAO Food Safety and Quality Unit in the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department, in welcoming delegates, stated that her unit had been preparing to make better use of the food chain intelligence in FAO. “There [...]

Codex members and observers met in Edinburgh, UK from 28-31 May 2018 to continue work on the development of guidance on two draft Codex texts. The first deals with regulatory approaches to third party assurance schemes and aims to promote a harmonised and robust approach when countries consider such schemes to enhance their regulatory arrangements and delivery of official controls within the National Food Control System (NFCS). The second refers to the use of systems equivalence and is intended to cover situations [...]

Representing the Codex Secretariat at the OIE 86th General Session on 22 May 2018, Senior Food Standards Officer Hilde Kruse participated in a panel discussion with IGOs on “Establishing trust in the multilateral trade system through transparency and standards implementation monitoring”. The panel included representatives from FAO, Codex Alimentarius, World Bank, WHO and WTO; considered key partner organizations having an agreement with the OIE, and centered around a discussion on “Establishing trust in the multilateral trade system through transparency and Standard’s [...]

At the 10th International Symposium on Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli infections (VTEC2018) held in Florence Italy 6-9 May 2018, experts from The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) presented innovative work carried out in response to a request from the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene for information on STEC in food. What are STEC? Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. Though most of these bacteria are harmless, others can [...]

Global experts gather at the 17th Food Safety Day in Seoul highlighting the rapid progress made on food safety in recent years. In the presence of Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon an event was held in Seoul last Friday to enhance public awareness and build social consensus on the importance of food safety. The Republic of Korea, through the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety,  has strong ties with Codex Alimentarius and has strengthened its cooperation over many years both in providing technical [...]

The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods opened its 24th session in Chicago, Illinois, United States today, discussing a number of specific ways to restrict the amounts of veterinary drug residues in foods to levels that are safe for human consumption. Committed to Codex During his keynote speech, US Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, proclaimed his passion for what Codex does, noting its emphasis on science. “The United States as a country, [...]

Experts gather in Haikou, China to establish maximum limits for pesticide residues in food and feed. The 50th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues began on Monday 9 April in Haikou, China and concludes Friday. Since 1966 the committee has established over 5000 Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticide residues covering 303 pesticides. Pesticides are used to protect crops against insects, weeds, fungi and other pests. Pesticides are potentially toxic to humans and can have both acute and chronic health [...]