World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 1 Food safety Food Standards Food Trade and development Jørgen Schlundt Coordinator, WHO Food Safety Programme UNCTAD 3 Oct 2002

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World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 3 Public Health Science Consumer Confidence Politics Trade Food Safety in the air

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 4 WHO Surveillance Programme for Control of Foodborne Diseases in Europe Campylobacteriosis trends Campylobacteriosis trends BgVV; Berlin

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 5 FBD increase - evidence ? ä Exact evidence difficult ä Indications in many countries ä New decrease evidence from some countries ä However, the more important issue : H Is presently realized high level correct H Is there a potential for reduction from presently realized high level

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 6 Food safety l Increasing burden of disease linked to foodborne hazards l One of the top seven WHO priorities l Food safety is a a public health function

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 7 WHO Global Food Safety Strategy  Surveillance of foodborne diseases  Improving risk assessments  Safety of new technologies  Public health role in Codex  Risk communication  International cooperation  Capacity building

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 8 Capacity Building in Food Safety Systems l Building food safety systems rather than segments l Using country’s intersectoral approach l Learn from developed countries experiences - take shortcuts ~> Leap-frog <~

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 9 Improved Food Safety Developing countries Win-Win Improved food safety less illness, medical and social costs, poverty Improved health improved participation in development Trade access development and wealth, better health Health-based Standards protect public health international trade capability Development

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 10 Macroeconomics and Health Investing in health for economic development Health is a priority goal in its own right - as well as a central input into economic development and poverty reduction Commission on Macroeconomics and Health Report of December 2001

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 11 Macroeconomics and Health New estimations The importance of investing in health has been greatly underestimated l by analysts l by developing country governments l by the international donor community

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 12 Macroeconomics and Health Investment returns Increased investment in health would translate into l massive economic returns in low-income countries l large social benefits to all parts of society

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World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 14 Biotechnology, GM Foods: is it safe?  Biotech products should not be evaluated as one common group - they are not inherently safe or inherently unsafe  Each product should be evaluated in its own right - case by case - looking into both the specific benefits or risks

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 15 Biotechnology Safety and nutrition  Can increase the quantity and quality of available food  and may have consequences for public health  (+): decrease allergenicity, natural toxicity or nutritional deficiencies  (-): change diversity, transfer genes, allergenicity, unintended effects

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 16 The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) convenes international meetings to discuss specific aspects of food production and food trade based on expert advice Its mandate: to develop scientifically sound international standards and norms for consumer health protection and fair food trade practices

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme World Health Organization (WHO) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION Member States

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 18 The Codex Alimentarius l Food standards for commodities 237 l Codes of Practice 41 l Limits for pesticide residues l Limits for contaminants 25 l Limits for veterinary drugs 289

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 19 The Codex Alimentarius Commission has already identified 6 strategic objectives 1.Promoting a sound regulatory framework 2.Promoting widest and consistent application of scientific principles and risk analysis 3.Promoting linkages between Codex and other multilateral regulatory instruments and conventions 4.Enhancing capacity to respond effectively and expeditiously to new issues, concerns and developments in the food sector 5.Promoting maximum membership and participation 6.Promoting maximum application of Codex standards

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 20 New challenges for Codex and national governments are due to: l Growth in world food trade l Increasing concern regarding foodborne diseases l New food technologies and products in the marketplace l Risk of food bioterrorism l Status of Codex standards under WTO agreements

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 21 Risk Analysis Risk AssessmentRisk Management Risk Communication  Science based + Explanation  Policy based + Implementation  Interactive exchange of information and opinions concerning risks

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 22 Codex Alimentarius Commission Strategic Vision “The Commission envisages a world afforded the highest attainable levels of consumer protection, including food safety and quality. To this end, the Commission will develop internationally agreed standards and related texts for use in domestic regulation and international trade in food that are based on scientific principles and fulfil the objectives of consumer health protection and fair practices in food trade.”

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 23 THE SITUATION TODAY l There is broad international recognition that Codex’s role will be more important than ever; l The process of strengthening Codex’s effectiveness, management, efficiency and timing has begun; and l Important planning for Codex’s future work is under way, with particular emphasis on the needs of developing countries.

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 24 CODEX EVALUATION l In 2001, the governing bodies of WHO and FAO and the Codex Alimentarius Commission called for a review. l The review, jointly conducted by the Evaluation Services of WHO and FAO, began in March 2002.

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 25 l Visits to selected countries l A formal questionnaire to all Member States of WHO, FAO and CAC l A questionnaire to all organizations with observer status in CAC and all NGOs in official relations with FAO and WHO l A questionnaire to all national organizations concerned with food safety l A public call for comments A comprehensive data gathering effort, including:

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 26 Timetable for the evaluation l First meeting of Evaluation Team l First meeting of Independent Expert Panel l Second meetings of both groups (incl. joint meeting) l Analysis of data collected l Third (joint) meeting of both groups to discuss results l Writing of report l Finalization of report March 2002 April 2002 June 2002 Aug Sept.2002 Sept./Oct Nov. 2002

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 27 l Jan 2003: l Feb 2003: l May 2003: l Nov 2003: Submission of report and recommendations to the governing bodies of WHO and FAO and the CAC WHO Executive Board (preliminary) Codex Alimentarius Commission World Health Assembly FAO Conference

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 28 THE FAO/WHO CODEX TRUST FUND OVERALL GOAL Help regulators and food experts participate in Codex work.

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 29 THE FAO/WHO CODEX TRUST FUND OBJECTIVES  Assist countries to effectively govern their food standards systems  Strengthen capacities to build strong and compatible food control systems  To enhance the effective participation of all countries in Codex  Expand the number of food experts, regulators and other specialists  Sharing of essential information  Create opportunities to decrease foodborne disease on a global basis

World Health OrganizationFood Safety Programme 30 THE FAO/WHO CODEX TRUST FUND OUTCOMES  Increase country ability to participate in the establishment of global food safety standards  Ensure that experts understand the current goals and objectives  Enable countries to develop useful information for Codex, as well as prepare papers containing important information  Reinforce participation in Codex