Foodlaw-Reading Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

Food Law News - FAO / WHO / WTO / Codex - 2022

FAO News Item, 23 November 2022

CODEX - Codex Alimentarius Commission: 21-25 November 2022 - Updates of decisions being taken at the 45th session of the UN food standards body

The United Nations food standards body, the Codex Alimentarius Commission is meeting both physically and virtually on 21 - 25 November 2022 to adopt food safety and quality standards. The Commission report will be adopted on 12 - 13 December 2022 virtually.

Charged with protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade, the Codex Alimentarius Commission is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Guidelines for Compounds of Low Public Health Concern that May Be Exempted from the Establishment of Codex MRLs

• ADOPTED- 23.11.2022
• Codex Alimentarius adopts Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides to ensure safe use of these substances or compounds in the production of food destined for international trade. However, there is a group of substances used for pest control in food production, that are considered to be of low or no toxicological significance and that pose no threat to human health. These may include mineral substances of natural origin, as well as pesticides of biological origin, including bacteria, algae, protozoa, viruses and fungi, natural substances such as pheromones or other semiochemicals, and botanical extracts.
• These new guidelines offer criteria to identify such pesticides of low public health concern that are or can be considered exempt from the establishment of MRLs, and will help to support the incorporation of low-risk substances into robust safe pest control programmes. They also help countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by making it easier to pursue targets on sustainable agriculture, reduced chemical use and reductions in pollution and contamination of air, water and soil.

Standard for Chilli Peppers and Paprika

• ADOPTED- 23.11.2022
• The globalization of the economy, the increase in migratory flows, international tourism and the growth of world food trade have all increased the global trade in spices. Chilli is one of the oldest traded commodities in the world and one of the most popular. While the main producers are India and China, key importing countries are to be found in each region of the world, while paprika is imported chiefly into Europe and North America. This standard identifies all quality aspects for dried chilli and paprika and provides a frame of reference now agreed through global consensus by countries that both produce and consume these key commodities.

Guidelines for developing harmonized food safety legislation for the Africa region

• ADOPTED- 23.11.2022
• These guidelines will support Codex Member Countries in developing and updating their food safety legislation and control systems as well as establishing harmonized policies and standards consistent with Codex, especially in light of the new Africa Continental Free Trade Area. By providing a framework, the new Codex text will also assist countries in identifying their capacity needs, facilitate trade and encourage wider use of the Codex standards. The guidelines are already informing several governments as they update their national legislation.

For previous news item on this topic, see:

• 22 November 2022 CODEX - Codex Alimentarius Commission: 21-25 November 2022 - Updates of decisions being taken at the 45th session of the UN food standards body

See also:

• 23 November 2022 CODEX / VETERINARY DRUGS - Codex votes but zilpaterol remains unresolved