In a Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) first for the CCAFRICA region, Kenya has become Chair to the CCFA in-session working group (WG) on priorities. This is the group that establishes priority lists of food additives for risk assessment by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).

We asked the new in-session WG Chairperson, Mr Peter Mutua, about why Kenya wanted to take on this role and what advice he has for fellow CCAFRICA Members, and the wider Codex membership, that can help to encourage more diverse participation in CCFA and Codex at this level.

What was it that motivated Kenya to offer to take over hosting the in-session WG on priorities?

As a Codex Member, Kenya strongly believes that the role of Members is to contribute to the development and maintenance of Codex Alimentarius in all capacities. We also note that Codex has been encouraging and supporting developing countries to actively participate in Codex work in various committees. We have also had an opportunity to be supported through the Codex Trust Fund and thus we had confidence that as a country we could take leadership in any Codex work. It is against this background and understanding that, when the opportunity presented itself in CCFA, we made a deliberate decision to apply for consideration.

CCFA is a highly technical committee, and the work of the priorities in-session WG is very complex.What challenges does Kenya foresee in taking on this work? And how will these be tackled?

It is true that CCFA work is, generally, complex but, at the same time, great teamwork exists within CCFA to address emerging challenges. It is with this understanding that despite the complex nature of work on priorities, we expect breakthroughs especially given the fact that my predecessors have put in place appropriate guidance on how the activities will be undertaken.

As we undertake this noble task, I will expect the challenge of urgent need/request/pressure/demand for either evaluation of new food additives or re-evaluation of existing food additives especially on the basis of safety assessment. I am also aware of the resource constraints that JECFA may have that may hinder short turn around for all requests prioritized by CCFA. Despite the challenge, I am confident just as the CCFA had done previously, where there is dire need for immediate re-evaluation, a discussion with the JECFA Secretariat, FAO and WHO will be able to handle such eventualities for the best interest of the consumers.

We observe that this is the first time an African country has taken on a leading role in CCFA. In that respect, Kenya is acting as something of a trailblazer for the Codex Members in the CCAFRICA region! What advice or messaging do you have for other CCAFRICA Members that are looking to participate more in CCFA work?

CCFA work is as simple or as complex as any other Codex work, it only requires a positive attitude to undertake any assignment given under Codex. Fellow CCAFRICA Members should be encouraged to note that we have very supportive structures within CCFA for any country wishing to take leadership either as a chair or co-chair. In addition, participating Codex Members and Observers on realizing the complex nature of CCFA over the years have worked as a solid team, complementing one another so as to achieve CCFA's objectives. Based on this, the complex nature of the work is demystified.

What messages do you have for the wider Codex membership with regard to the support, guidance and encouragement developing countries have received and would like to receive so that there can be more diverse participation at this level – in CCFA specifically, and in Codex more generally?

The Codex Trust Fund and the current arrangement of mentorship is an excellent strategy that is empowering Codex Members to positively engage on Codex activities. It is important for countries, especially developing countries, to put in place and implement at country level Codex structures including but not limited to national technical committees and a national Codex policy committee as well as establishing and effectively staffing the Codex Contact Points. Countries should also allocate sufficient budget for the operationalization of Codex Contact Points. In addition, there is a need to carry out awareness and advocacy activities including buy-ins from the political and higher office holders.

How will this new role contribute towards deepening the national and regional capacity (knowledge) on risk assessment and management of food additives, including better utilization of the General Standard on Food Additives (GSFA) in national standards and or food safety legislation?

Kenya is already using the GSFA as the authoritative reference for food additives with plans underway to have it properly referenced/recognized in law upon review/repeal of existing statutes. Currently, it is adopted as a national standard under the statute on national standards thus giving it legitimacy as a reference material. Regarding the adoption of risk assessment and management as a concept in standardization, our involvement in the current work will improve our skills and knowledge in this aspect as we prepare as a country to fully implement the concept as it is envisaged in the current bill before parliament on food and feed safety coordination.

Read more

CCFA54 webpage
Codex Trust Fund website

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