Rome: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) participated in the forty-eighth session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission held in Rome, alongside representatives from member states and international organizations focused on establishing global food standards.
According to Qatar News Agency, MoPH’s involvement aimed at reinforcing international efforts to create unified scientific standards and references for food safety and quality. This aligns with Qatar’s commitments to global bodies, particularly the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. During the session, a standard for fresh dates was adopted as an international benchmark, and a new work item for pasteurized camel milk was introduced on the Codex Alimentarius agenda.
This initiative supports the regional proposal driven by the Codex Committee for the Near East, which includes Qatar. The meetings also covered the review of practices to prevent and reduce aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, setting maximum limits for lead in spices and herbs, and updating standards for food additives and chemical contaminants.
Dr. Muna Al Olan, MoPH’s Food Safety Consultant, highlighted that the Ministry’s participation is part of national efforts to enhance Qatar’s presence in international forums on food safety. The aim is to contribute to the formulation of global decisions and standards that elevate protection for local consumers and develop the national food safety system according to the latest international practices. She also commended the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s role in unifying international efforts to ensure food safety and foster transparency and trust among countries, emphasizing the Ministry’s dedication to maintaining cooperation with international and regional partners in this field.