The 17th meeting of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and the South West Pacific (CCNASWP) has successfully concluded in Nadi, Fiji. The meeting discussed a range of food safety issues, new work proposals for regional standards, Codex strategic plans and nominated a new Coordinator. Food safety concerns under discussion that are relevant to the region included foodborne illnesses caused by microbiological pathogens, food fraud and adulteration, contaminants in food from multiple sources, and food labelling and allergens. The region’s [...]

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a comprehensive and practical toolbox designed to help those assessing the risks of veterinary drug residues in food. The JECFA Toolbox for Veterinary Drug Residues Risk Assessment describes the process used by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) when assessing the risks of veterinary drug residues in animal-derived food products consumed by humans.    Join us for the launch of the JECFA Toolbox on Thursday, 27 February [...]

The 17th session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and the South West Pacific has commenced in Nadi, Fiji. The meeting was opened with a traditional Fijian welcome, after which the Honourable Vatimi Rayalu, Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, gave his opening remarks, together with representatives of FAO, WHO and the Codex Alimentarius. “Food safety is not just a regional concern, it is a global priority that represents one of the most pressing challenges in trade, public health [...]

The 25th session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa has concluded, following in-depth discussions on topics of regional concern and on new work proposals, and with the nomination of the Gambia as the new Regional Coordinator. “I think we have been very accommodating to each other, to ensure we have been able to work swiftly through this session, to have documents that will be proceeding to the next stages,” said the Chairperson, Hakim Mufumbiro, upon adoption of the meeting report. [...]

As Fiji gears up to host the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for North America and South West Pacific (CCNASWP) for the last time in this term, we spoke with the Chairperson, Andrew Tukana, about achievements, hopes and expectations for the upcoming meeting. What benefits have you seen as consequence of your work in the region? First of all, I must thank Fiji’s former Coordinator of CCNASWP, Vinesh Kumar, for the great work in hosting the meeting in in 2023 (CCNASWP16). As the Coordinator [...]

The World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement) references the texts developed by three standards setting bodies, as the reference standards for plant and animal health and food safety in international trade. Those three bodies are the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). These bodies are known collectively as the three sisters. When implemented, the standards set by the three sisters help to ensure [...]

The 25th session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa has commenced in Kampala, Uganda, marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Committee. All speakers at the opening ceremony acknowledged the regional and global challenges faced by countries in the CCAFRICA region, and recognized Codex as key in addressing those challenges related to food safety and trade. “Emerging hazards, climate change, and new technologies require our regulatory systems to adapt quickly,” said the Honourable Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. [...]

As the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAFRICA) prepares to host its first fully in-person session since the pandemic, we sat down with Hakim Mufumbiro, Chair of the meeting. Hakim shared insights into the challenges and expectations of returning to a physical format, the critical agenda items that will steer the region's food safety strategies, and his vision for this meeting. Hakim, thank you for joining us. While you are a familiar face in the Codex family, there might be new [...]

As 2025 begins, we asked Codex Secretary Sarah Cahill to reflect on the past year, and these are her thoughts. With 17 meetings, hundreds of newly adopted standards and a new Strategic Plan, 2024 was surely a busy year for Codex. What have been the highlights or things you could not possibly have imagined?  It was an intense but productive year and while the adoption of new Codex texts, a new Strategic Plan and election of a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons are always [...]

As 2024 draws to a close, the newly elected Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Allan Azegele, Kenya, looks back on the outcome of the 47th Commission meeting and shares his view on the future of Codex. Allan, congratulations on your election. Thank you for the congratulatory message. I feel deeply honored and humbled to have been elected to the role of Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all members for placing your trust [...]