15) In addition to the activities included in the working papers, the Committee was informed that FAO (Divisions of Food and Nutrition and of Fisheries) was organizing an Expert Consultation on Listeria in Fish, to be held in January 1999. In relation to the Study Group on Aquaculture, it was recalled that the Committee on Fish and Fishery Products was considering recommendations for hygienic practice in aquaculture in the framework of the Proposed Draft Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products.
16) The Representative of FAO informed the Committee about the action taken by FAO to develop data bases and tables for food composition at the national and regional level, and dietary guidelines for the education of the public. In addition, the Representative offered to make available the website of the Regional Office[5] to disseminate information concerning the work of the Committee.
17) The Delegation of Colombia asked about the outcome of the creation of a regional Centre for street-vended foods, following an FAO meeting of experts held in Colombia in 1997. The Representative recalled that if such a Centre was created, it should be self-supporting. The Delegation of the Dominican Republic expressed its interest in receiving further information on the project on the prevention of contamination by mycotoxins in coffee developed by the International Coffee Organization in cooperation with FAO.
18) The Representative of WHO/PAHO/INPPAZ highlighted the main activities of the action plan based on five components, namely: Organization of national food protection programmes, Strengthening of analytical capacity, Strengthening of Inspection Services, Surveillance of foodborne diseases, and Promotion of food protection through community participation.
19) The Delegation of Belize expressed its appreciation to PAHO for its assistance in developing sanitary inspection for meat, poultry and fish, and pointed out that further assistance would be needed in the fish sector in view of its economic importance.
20) In reply to a question, the Representative of PAHO recalled that it had cooperated with FAO on a model food law for countries of Latin America and the English-speaking Caribbean and that it was available to interested countries. The Committee was also informed about the activities concerning the organization of a surveillance system for foodborne diseases.
