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Science - the basis of CODEX work

Science - the basis of CODEX work. The Role of Science in Codex Decision-Making. Science guides the whole process of Codex work. Key principles Risk analysis guide Codex stds from development to implementation Codex texts shall be based on science and evidence

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Science - the basis of CODEX work

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  1. Science - the basis of CODEX work

  2. The Role of Science in Codex Decision-Making Science guides the whole process of Codex work Key principles • Risk analysis guide Codex stds from development to implementation • Codex texts shall be based on science and evidence • Food safety risk assessment should be based on sound data and includes four steps process • Functional separation of Risk Assessment & Risk Management

  3. Codex Process: Science-based, Participatory and Transparent International Risk Assessment International Risk Management CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISION • JECFA • (food additives, veterinary drug residues, contaminants in food) • JMPR • (pesticide residues in food) • JEMRA (microbiological hazards in food) • ad hoc expert consultations • emerging issues (e.g. Nanotechnologies in agri-food sector) Requests for advice, risk assessment Scientific advice

  4. Criteria for the Establishment of Codex Work Priorities • Contribution to the protection of consumer health • Diversification of national legislations and potential impediment to international trade • Product suitability for standardization • Existence of duplication with work already undertaken in this area • Volume of production and consumption Members can request for prioritization of work • Provide scientific arguments to include topic in the priority list • Provide data

  5. Science to start work: the case of Sorghum • Sorghum - mycotoxin formation • Concerns raised in the Codex Committee on Contaminants as to human health impact • Important staple food in many African countries • Lack of information on formation and levels of mycotoxins in grain FAO/WHO are implementing a project with funding from EC in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali and Sudan to • gather data and knowledge • to feed back into the discussion at international level on options for action

  6. Science to update work: the example of Fumonisins • Fumonisins were previously evaluated by JECFA in 2001 • The 3rd Session of the CCCF agreed to initiate work on establishing MLs for fumonisins in maize and some maize-based products • Data were submitted only by Argentina, Australia, China, Japan, Nigeria, EU, the UK and USs • General agreement on the need for MLs but not on the levels • The 4th session CCCF agreed to retain the proposed draft MLs at Step 4 until further advice was provided by JECFA • JECFA (June 2011) evaluation concluded • Implementation of the MLs proposed by CCCF could significantly reduce exposure to total fumonisins • the proposed MLs would result in rejection of 2–88% of “Corn/maize grain, unprocessed” and 4–57% of “Corn/maize flour/meal” across the clusters. • submitted data show that the exceedance of the PMTDI occurs only in limited regions presenting high maize consumption levels and highly contaminated maize. • PMTDI for fumonisins was retained

  7. Science to implement work: the case of Vibrio • Codex Guidelines on the Application of General Principles of Food Hygiene to the Control of Pathogenic Vibrio Species in Seafood in have been developed in 2010 • CCFH requested FAO/ WHO to work on risk assessment tools to facilitate the implementation of Codex guidelines • FAO/ WHO work • An expert meeting was organized in Ottawa, Canada on October 17-19, 2011 to: (a) identify possible end uses of Vibrio methodologies (b) look at the performance characteristics of available methods and provide recommendations on the requirements for different end uses (c) provide recommendations for collection of data to support national/regional risk assessments. • The output of this Expert Meeting and subsequent discussions are being used to develop a “Guidance document” addressing performance characteristics of Vibrio methodology and approaches for data collection. • As a follow up to this, a Regional training Workshop for Asia on Vibrio methodologies is scheduled to be held in Singapore during November 19-23, 2012.

  8. Conclusions • Science guide Codex working process from stds development to implementation. • It is essential that countries generate science data/information • to support their positions at Codex • to actively guide the stds development process • to ensure global relevance of Codex outputs

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