Risk communication, nutrition and food safety shape discussions at CCEURO34

The 34th Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Europe (CCEURO) has concluded in Berlin after a week of intensive discussion on topics relevant to food safety and Codex work in the region. Germany’s term as regional coordinator comes to an end with this session, and once the report was adopted, Chairperson Anne Beutling delivered closing remarks saying “What I will remember most when looking back at these years, is not the meetings … but engaging with you. This role has allowed me to get to know our region better and also many of you personally.” She thanked Members for their openness, and “the trust you have placed in Germany and myself.” She continued “Our region is going through difficult times. My hope is that CCEURO will always remain a place where we meet, listen to one another and continue to work together across differences. … It has been a privilege, but also a great personal joy, to serve you and represent this region.”

The keynote address, which has become a fixed agenda item for coordinating committee meetings, set the scene with a presentation from Dr Barbara Gallani, Head of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)’s Communication and Partnerships (ENGAGE) Department on risk communication for safe food and sustainable diets in the region. Sustainable diets is a topic of particular interest to CCEURO, and Dr Gallani explained that effective communication about food and diets needs to move from telling to sharing. She also highlighted the need to consider audience and cultural contexts when speaking with consumers about food, and that the nurturing of trust within this communication can support more effective communication in situations involving public health concerns, uncertainty or significant public interest.

The discussion around the keynote address also informed discussion on food safety and quality issues in the region, which focused on the development of capacities regarding food control system assessments, policy and legislative reforms, emergency preparedness, and surveillance. Members agreed that food policy should incorporate improved food literacy and awareness of food safety and nutrition matters. CCEURO34 returned to nutrition in its discussion around the report of the electronic working group (EWG) on dietary guidelines, and concluded that it is important to continue using current resources and sharing experiences.

There were several topics related to Codex work that is relevant to this region, which included antimicrobial resistance, the One Health approach and digital tools and evolving working modalities. Members were reminded of FAO’s Global Conference on Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems, which took place in the same week, and which included a session on international standards for One Health governance.

Accepting the nomination for Coordinator, the delegation of Azerbaijan expressed its appreciation for the confidence placed in the country and reaffirmed its commitment to working with all Members to advance regional cooperation, strengthen participation in Codex activities and support the continued success of CCEURO.

On behalf of the Codex Secretariat, Hilde Kruse thanked Germany for its leadership of the region and welcomed the constructive spirit that characterized the discussions throughout the week. She noted that CCEURO34 had demonstrated the region's strong commitment to science-based standards, collaboration and the shared objective of protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade.