"87th Session of Codex Alimentarius Executive Committee Begins"

The 87th session of the Codex Alimentarius Executive Committee has officially started. This important gathering will focus on advancing global food safety standards, discussing policies, and setting guidelines to protect consumer health worldwide. Key decisions and updates will emerge from the session, impacting food safety protocols and international trade regulations related to food products.

The 87th session of the Codex Alimentarius Executive Committee (CCEXEC87) has commenced at the International Conference Centre in Geneva. The meeting aims to address issues remaining before the 47th Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC47).

Francesco Branca, the WHO’s Director of Nutrition and Food Safety, opened the session. He emphasized that Codex provides a unique platform for science-based discussions that lead to meaningful regulatory changes in global food systems. Branca highlighted the importance of concluding discussions on standards for follow-up formulas and considering amendments to the Standard for Infant Formula and Formulas for Special Medical Purposes Intended for Infants (CXS 72-1981). He also announced that his tenure at WHO would end in December 2024, and invited Codex to focus on emerging challenges such as highly processed foods, balancing nutritional needs with sustainability, and assessing the cumulative exposure to multiple food compounds.

In a video message, FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero highlighted the connection between Codex’s work and FAO’s objectives. He linked the theme of the recent World Food Day, "right to food for a better life and a better future," with Codex’s mission to protect consumer health and facilitate fair food trade practices. Torero praised the outgoing Codex Alimentarius Commission chair and vice-chairpersons and extended his best wishes to Francesco Branca.

The executive committee will review the work of Codex committees on various issues, including pesticide residues, food inspection systems, nutrition, food for special dietary needs, fish products, veterinary drug residues in foods, and food labeling. They will also review proposed texts for adoption, new work proposals, and updates to the Codex strategic plan, along with budgetary matters.

Dominique Burgeon, FAO’s Director of the Geneva Liaison Office, underscored the importance of Codex’s work and the office’s continued support of Codex-related activities. He emphasized the value of maximizing the impact of Codex standards through international collaboration in Geneva.

Steve Wearne, the Chairperson of CCEXEC, noted that this would be his final session leading the committee. He stressed the importance of adhering to Codex’s objectives and procedural guidelines to ensure the committee’s work is grounded in clear, robust, and coherent advice for the CAC.

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Source: fnbnews‍