Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
|
|
Codex News Item, 2 December 2023
For the first time after the Covid-19 pandemic, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has concluded with a physical report adoption. This brings to a close a momentous meeting that opened with festivities celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first CAC in 1963.
The 46th session of CAC adopted a series of new food safety and quality standards including: the new Guidelines for the Control of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Raw Beef, Fresh Leafy Vegetables, Raw Milk and Raw Milk Cheeses, and Sprouts; the Guidelines for the Safe Use and Reuse of Water in Food Production and Processing; and Revisions to the Standard for Follow-up Formula (CXS 156-1986). A new Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Mycotoxins Contamination in Cassava and Cassava-based Products was also adopted, as well as Principles and Guidelines on the Use of Remote Audit and Inspection in Regulatory Frameworks and Revisions to General Guidelines on Sampling (CXG 50-2004).
Report adoption was over in seven hours, with CAC Chairperson, Steve Wearne (United Kingdom), commending delegates for their efforts in facilitating the adoption and for their work throughout the week.
“This was an extraordinary piece of team work”, said Corinna Hawkes, Codex Secretary ad interim “from the Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons of CAC, to Members and Observers, they all had a role in making this meeting very successful”.
In closing the meeting, former CAC Chairperson, Guilherme da Costa, recognized CAC Chairperson, Steve Wearne, and the three Vice-Chairpersons, Allan Azegele (Kenya), Raj Rajasekar (New Zealand) and Diego Varela (Chile) for their contributions to Codex Alimentarius.
