Veterinarians traditionally have a crucial role in the advancement and maintenance of food safety for the benefit of consumers. Changes in our food production and supply, new and emerging bacteria, toxins, and antimicrobial resistance can affect the safety of large amounts of food in a short time. The role of veterinarians has changed throughout the history and today they are actively involved in all aspects of the food chain, from providing food animal producers with guidance for waste management; protecting waterways and environment, to ensuring the safety of animal-derived food.

A One Health approach.

“A One Health approach is embedded in the work of veterinarians as it contributes to ensuring good animal health, a critical component of food safety and food security,” said Hilde Kruse, Codex Secretariat. “Veterinarians also help to contain and minimize antimicrobial resistance, by ensuring the responsible and prudent use of these medicines in animals, in line with the recommendations of international texts like Codex standards.”

Even when foods pass necessary inspections, there’s still a chance for complications to arise later on. “Surveillance of the food supply to monitor trends and rapidly detect any emerging food safety hazards is another aspect on which veterinarians directly intervene,” said Jeff Lejeune, Food Safety Officer at FAO. “Conducting research to develop ways to improve food safety and ensuring that animal feeds are nutritious and free of contaminants that would make, meat, milk or eggs unsafe, are all part of the holistic approach carried out by veterinarians.”

Veterinarians have been part of the Codex Alimentarius Commission since its inception in 1963. Their vital role underlines how food safety and quality are best assured by an integrated, multidisciplinary approach, considering the whole of the food chain. The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) is the committee with the largest participation of veterinarians in Codex as it deals with maximum levels of such substances and develops codes of practice as required.

Veterinarians are uniquely qualified.

“It is important to recognize the critical contribution the veterinary profession makes to food safety, particular for foods derived from animals treated with veterinary medicinal products,” said Kevin Greenless, Chairperson of the Committee. “In CCRVDF veterinarians are uniquely qualified to provide information on the good practice of veterinary drugs and may be found contributing their experience and expertise across all parts of the Committee as we work to establish standards for the residues of those veterinary drugs in food.”

Join the conversation on Twitter

🗓️ | April 24 is #WorldVeterinaryDay ❗️

This year, to celebrate veterinarians all around the world, we have asked you to tell us how they contribute to #FoodSafety.

👩‍⚕️🌾🐮👨‍⚕️

Here's what you said [🧵⤵️] pic.twitter.com/gqRBX62TGD

— Codex Alimentarius (@FAOWHOCodex) April 22, 2021