CAC38 in Geneva
The 38th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission will begin on Monday July 6th at The International Conference Centre of Geneva (CICG). 185 countries and the European Union will discuss and adopt new food safety and quality standards, including limits on use of drugs in food-producing animals.
Key Decisions
Some of the highlights of the meeting are expected to be decisions on:
- Maximum levels for lead in fruits and vegetables (fresh and processed)
- A number of standards for the safe use of food additives and pesticides
- Recommendations to prevent residues of certain antibiotics (dimetridazole, ipronidazole, metronidazole and ronidazole) in food of animal origin, due to adverse effects on human health
- Guidelines for the control of Trichinella spp. parasites in pork meat
- Maximum levels for a toxin (deoxynivalenol also known as DON or “vomitoxin”) produced by a mould that can be found in cereal grains, flours, and cereal-based foods for infants and young children
- A recommendation on the level of potassium consumption associated with a reduced risk of diet-related noncommunicable diseases
- A new worldwide standard for ginseng products
Codex Trust Fund
The Commission is also expected to support the establishment by FAO and WHO of a new US$3.3 million per year Codex Trust Fund to support more active participation of developing countries in international food standards setting from 2016 to 2026.
Side Events
Throughout the week there will be side events on:
- An introduction to the FAO Genetically Modified Foods Platform (Monday 6 July, 13:00-15:00), a simple, user-friendly online too for sharing information on safety assessments of foods derived from recombinant-DNA plants authorised in accordance with Codex guidelines.
- An update on ongoing FAO/WHO work to address hazards associated with animal feed (Thursday 9 July, 15:00-17:00). The consumption of animal products continues to rise worldwide and will continue doing so over the decades to come - driving up demand for animal feed products as well. Feed safety impacts not just the health of animals but also that of producers, handlers and consumers. This session will report on a recent FAO-WHO consultation looking at the current status of animal feed safety issues and outlining priorities for future work.
- The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (Wednesday 8 July, 12:30-14:30)
To see the complete agenda and download working papers, click here.
At the heart of the Codex mandate are the core values of collaboration, inclusiveness, consensus building and transparency. Governmental and non-governmental, public and private organizations alike play a vital role in ensuring Codex texts are of the highest quality and based on sound science.
Codex would have little authority in the field of international standard setting if it did not welcome and acknowledge the valuable contributions made by observers. Expert technical bodies, industry and consumer associations
contribute to the standard-setting process in a spirit of openness, collaboration and transparency.
Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can apply for observer status in Codex in order to attend and put forward their views at every stage of the standard-setting process.
Current Codex Alimentarius Commission
CAC38 in Geneva
The 38th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission will begin on Monday July 6th at The International Conference Centre of Geneva (CICG). 185 countries and the European Union will discuss and adopt new food safety and quality standards, including limits on use of drugs in food-producing animals.
Key Decisions
Some of the highlights of the meeting are expected to be decisions on:
- Maximum levels for lead in fruits and vegetables (fresh and processed)
- A number of standards for the safe use of food additives and pesticides
- Recommendations to prevent residues of certain antibiotics (dimetridazole, ipronidazole, metronidazole and ronidazole) in food of animal origin, due to adverse effects on human health
- Guidelines for the control of Trichinella spp. parasites in pork meat
- Maximum levels for a toxin (deoxynivalenol also known as DON or “vomitoxin”) produced by a mould that can be found in cereal grains, flours, and cereal-based foods for infants and young children
- A recommendation on the level of potassium consumption associated with a reduced risk of diet-related noncommunicable diseases
- A new worldwide standard for ginseng products
Codex Trust Fund
The Commission is also expected to support the establishment by FAO and WHO of a new US$3.3 million per year Codex Trust Fund to support more active participation of developing countries in international food standards setting from 2016 to 2026.
Side Events
Throughout the week there will be side events on:
- An introduction to the FAO Genetically Modified Foods Platform (Monday 6 July, 13:00-15:00), a simple, user-friendly online too for sharing information on safety assessments of foods derived from recombinant-DNA plants authorised in accordance with Codex guidelines.
- An update on ongoing FAO/WHO work to address hazards associated with animal feed (Thursday 9 July, 15:00-17:00). The consumption of animal products continues to rise worldwide and will continue doing so over the decades to come - driving up demand for animal feed products as well. Feed safety impacts not just the health of animals but also that of producers, handlers and consumers. This session will report on a recent FAO-WHO consultation looking at the current status of animal feed safety issues and outlining priorities for future work.
- The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (Wednesday 8 July, 12:30-14:30)
To see the complete agenda and download working papers, click here.
Codex and Observer
around the world since ancient times.
We might not always know where it comes from,
but we expect it to be available, safe and of good quality.
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