November 2006
Extract from the Report of the 15th Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mar del Plata , Argentina , 13 - 17 November 2006 (see http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/report/670/al30_36e.pdf )
National food control system: A national food advisory body was established under the Food and Drug act to be followed-up by a Secretariat. Its major function is to design the legal framework for the establishment of a single food safety agency. Jamaica is in the final stage to implement the one stop shop for food imports and exports to facilitate food trade. MOUs have been developed to support coordination of inter-agency food safety activities. National Codex Committee: It is functioning with six priority working groups. Consumer Participation in Standard Setting: Consumer Affairs Commission plays an integral role in all standard committees. The Jamaica Standard Network (JSN) provides a forum for public input into the development of standards.
The country uses Codex standards as a basis for national standards. They are also used as a reference. On a regional level the Caribbean Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is looking at a standard for packaged water and uses the relevant Codex Standard as a base.
Information last updated - February 2007