The 56th session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) has concluded in Chongqing, China, having seen discussions on a wide range of topics. These included the regular agenda items of endorsement, alignment, changes to the General standard for food additives (GSFA, CXS 192-1995) and International Numbering systems and the priority list, as well as additional items such as a standard for baker’s yeast. Upon report adoption, the Chairperson, Dr Fan, thanked all those involved in the smooth running of [...]

The 56th session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) has opened in Chongqing, China. The CCFA Chairperson, Dr Fan Yongxiang, welcomed the more than 200 people from around 50 countries to the meeting as he introduced the guests of the opening ceremony, who included Li Mingzhu, Commissioner of the Department of International Cooperation at the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and Gong Guoqiang, Deputy Director of the Food Safety Department of the National Health [...]

A recent webinar titled “The Future of Food Safety in Europe: Update of the Regulatory Framework and Research Needs on Novel Foods” brought together international experts to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of novel foods and their implications for food safety, regulation and trade. The event was organized within the framework of two food science research projects, Excel4Pro and PROTWIN, and coordinated by TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Centre (TÜBİTAK MAM) in Türkiye, as part of a webinar series aimed at supporting innovation [...]

The Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP) has started its 37th session, which is taking place over a one-month period, by correspondence. CCFFP37 will, amongst other things, address the conversion of the Regional standard for laver products (Asia) (CXS 323R-2017) into a worldwide standard, and consider new work proposals on other seaweed species and/or other aquatic species. Also on the agenda is a review of the standards for fish and fishery products to ensure they are up to date in terms of format, taxonomic accuracy, and relatedness [...]

A planning webinar has been organized for all those intending to celebrate World Food Safety Day this year, on 7 April at 13:00 CEST. Experts from WHO, FAO and the Codex Secretariat will explain more about this year’s theme, From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere. The theme looks forward to the release by WHO of the estimates of the global burden of foodborne disease (known as the FERG report), in the week before World Food Safety Day. This report [...]

The 28th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) has concluded in Minneapolis Minnesota in the United States of America. Chairperson Brandi Roinson thanked all involved and praised delegates for the speedy work in adopting the session’s report. Referring to the week’s work, she said: “it was very productive and without all of your contributions we would not have made such progress so thank you all!” On the agenda for the session were maximum residue limits [...]

The 28th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) has opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America. CCRVDF Chairperson, Brandi Robinson, welcomed delegates. Opening the session in a pre-recorded video message the United States’ Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Michelle Bekkering, highlighted the importance of Codex work to her country and to her personally, as someone who grew up on a farm. “I owe a lot to my rural upbringing,” [...]

Colombia and the Plurinational State of Bolivia are stepping up efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the world’s most pressing health threats, by strengthening laboratory surveillance in the food and agriculture sectors. With support from the FAO-led Actions to support the implementation of Codex texts on AMR (ACT) project, both countries participated in an international External Quality Assessment (EQA) exercise in 2025. The programme was organized by Mexico’s National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA), whose Unit [...]

As the 28th session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF28) approaches, the FAO JECFA Toolbox for Veterinary Drug Residues Risk Assessment marks its first anniversary. This resource can support the work of CCRVDF and the global network of stakeholders interested in the area of residues of veterinary drugs. Join us in celebrating the first milestone of this online tool!  Structured into six sections with practical tips, real-world case studies and links to further reading, the Toolbox provides a stepwise overview of the JECFA risk assessment process for veterinary drug residues in animal-derived foods, detailing essential data requirements and and key concepts. It also explains how these assessments inform the derivation of maximum residue limits (MRLs), which JECFA recommends to CCRVDF to safeguard public health and promote international fair [...]

In order to advance the work of the Codex Committee on Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS), two inter-sessional working group meetings (IWGs) were held back-to-back from 17-19 March in Oslo, Norway. The sessions were hosted by the Norwegian government in collaboration with the Government of New Zealand. The working group on Establishment listing guidance was chaired by Norway, whereas the IWG on consolidation of Codex guidelines related to equivalence was chaired by New Zealand. In her opening remarks, the [...]