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Acknowledgement: www.foodqualitynews.com; Author Ahmed ElAmin
Codex to consider more international food safety standards
International food safety standards on fish, eggs and infant formulas are likely to be adopted in the first week of July, 2007 at the annual meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Food processors who operate worldwide could eventually be affected by the AGM in Rome as these eventually become incorporated into national laws.
The standards are recognised as international benchmarks by one of the multilateral agreements of the UN World Trade Organization (WTO) and aim to help international food trade by eliminating many of what the UN calls "unjustified technical barriers" set up by some countries.
The Codex Alimentarius is a global body set up by the Food and Agricultural Organisation and the World Health Organisation as a means of getting countries to adopt international safety standards and other guidelines.
The Commission is considering several draft food standards for adoption in this year's annual meeting.
These include a draft code of practice for fish and fishery products, for hygienic practice for eggs and egg products and a draft revised standard for infant formula and formulas for "special medical purposes".
The Commission will also consider proposals setting maximum levels for tin in canned foods and beverages and a code of practice for reducing Ochratoxin A contamination in wine.
It is expected to also consider draft rules on a number of standards for food additives, including specifications on identification, numbering and purity.
A proposed draft code of practice for fish and such products such as quick frozen coated fish and salted fish is also on the body's agenda.
Codex, since 1963, has adopted about 200 commodity standards. A total of 174 countries and the European Community are part of Codex.
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