GLOBAL – In a celebration of global collaboration, World Standards Day on October 14th, 2023, brought attention to a pivotal theme: “shared vision for a better world: Incorporating SDG 3.”
At the forefront of this mission stands the Codex Alimentarius, the international food standards setting body founded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
This year’s theme resonates deeply with the Codex Alimentarius as it focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3), which strives to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.
Codex Alimentarius plays a crucial role in shaping the landscape of global food safety. By implementing international food standards, it aids nations in preventing, detecting, and managing foodborne diseases, aligning with the SDG3 objective of ensuring a secure, safe, and nutritious food supply for everyone.
These standards, grounded in scientific evidence, prioritize the health and well-being of consumers, making the safety, quality, and origin of our food a matter of global consensus.
Speaking at a World Standards Day event in Indonesia, Moez Sanaa, Unit Head of Standards and Scientific Advice on Food and Nutrition at WHO, emphasized the necessity of globally accepted food standards.
“The FAO and the WHO founded the Codex Alimentarius programme to establish a globally accepted food code based on scientific evidence that puts the health of consumers first. Implementing standards from farm to table ensures that food is consumed safely,” he said.
Codex Alimentarius Commission Chairperson, Steve Wearne, underlined the importance of Codex food standards in a pre-recorded video address.
He expressed gratitude for the trust consumers place in their food, emphasizing that this trust is justified because food safety practices, transparently outlined in Codex standards, are followed meticulously worldwide.
These standards form the bedrock of trust and protection for consumers, ensuring the safety of their meals.
New standards for a better tomorrow
As World Standards Day is celebrated globally, the significance of international collaboration and standardization cannot be overstated.
Markus Lipp, FAO Senior Food Safety Officer, highlighted the instrumental role of Codex Alimentarius in setting international, science-based food safety standards.
New and updated standards are set to be adopted at the upcoming Codex Alimentarius Commission in November, shaping the future of global food safety.
The essence of World Standards Day, according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), lies in collaboration and cooperation.
Ulrika Francke, President of ISO, emphasized the power of collective efforts, stating that by working together, the world is empowered with real-world solutions to confront sustainability challenges.
Seizo Onoe, Director of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) echoed this sentiment, emphasizing a shared vision for a better world, united in accelerating the 2030 Agenda with standards tailored for the SDGs.
As international standards continue to evolve, the promise of a better, fairer, and more sustainable world becomes increasingly attainable.
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