Codex Alimentarius Commission: 17-22 July 2017
Monday, 2017/07/24 | 08:08:38
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FAO: Live updates of decisions being taken at the ongoing 40th Session in Geneva, Switzerland
Figure: Comprising 187 countries and the European Union, the Codex Alimentarius Commission meets annually to examine food safety and quality standards and other recommendations for food. The United Nations food standards body Codex Alimentarius Commission is meeting in Geneva from 17 to 22 July 2017 to adopt food safety and quality standards. Charged with protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade, the Codex Alimentarius is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).Decisions taken at the 40th session of the Commission will be published below as they are made. For more information on the upcoming Codex session, visit the links listed at right. Future work on maximum levels of mercury in fishAGREED - 18 July 2017 Mercury, a naturally occurring element, can harm human health in various ways. It accumulates in fish in the form of methylmercury. The Codex Alimentarius Commission has decided to start new work to establish maximum levels of methylmercury for certain fish: tuna, alfonsino, kingfish/amberjack, marlin, shark, dogfish and swordfish. Fish that live for a long time, and are higher in the food chain, have higher levels of methylmercury in their bodies. Mercury can have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems of humans, and on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. The new work of the Commission will take into account the negative health effects of methylmercury, as well as the health benefits of nutrients in fish. Related links:
New work on antimicrobial resistanceAGREED - 18 July 2017 Following global action to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Codex Alimentarius Commission has agreed to start new work to revise the 2005 Code of practice to minimise and contain antimicrobial resistance and develop Guidance on Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance along the food chain. AMR is a serious threat to human health. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites are all microbes that cause diseases in humans and animals. All types of microbes can develop resistance to medicines naturally over time. But overuse and misuse of medicines, like antibiotics, in people and animals is speeding up the process. Common infections are now becoming resistant to available treatments. In 2015, resolutions on tackling antimicrobial resistance were adopted by governments at WHO's World Health Assembly and the FAO Conference, as well as the World Organisation for Animal Health's (OIE) World Assembly of Delegates. Related links:
See more: http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1024512/icode/ |
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