Food standards in the country are of paramount importance because the general public would like to have a fair idea of what type of food to buy or consume
“This is where Codex is essentially important as it defines the various standards of food.”said the Ministry of Agriculture director research, Miliakere Nawaikula.
Fiji has been a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), an international organisation based at Rome in Italy, since 1985.
Codex is a joint Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) programme.
Codex aims to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in the global food trade. Codex coordinates input from more than 170 countries to develop internationally recognised food standards and other guidelines.
Ms Nawaikula said that any standard that was not covered under the regulations in place was when Codex standards were used.
“The Codex Alimentarius is a collection of standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations. Some standards detail requirements relating to food or a group of foods while others focus on the operation and management of a production process,” said Ms Nawaikula.
“Codex develops international standards, guidelines and recommendations, which set the benchmarks for safety and quality of food in international trade. Standards under development by Codex can affect food producers, meaning they need to keep abreast of quite a number of Codex activities.”
Ms Nawaikula added that several Codex committees dealt with issues relating to all industry sectors.
Other Codex subsidiary bodies develop specific standards and guidelines related to food commodity groupings (including safety and quality specifications) such as; cereals pulses and legumes, cocoa products and chocolates, fats and oils, fish and fishery products, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat hygiene, milk and milk products, natural mineral waters, processed fruits and vegetables, soups and broths, sugars and vegetable proteins
Fiji’s participation in Codex is important as Codex is recognised in World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements as the international reference point for safety, quality and fair trade in food.
“Codex standards may also be used as benchmarks in WTO dispute settlement processes. WTO member countries are required to harmonise their national food safety measures with Codex standards,” Ms Nawaikula said.
“Governments that do not have their national requirements on international standards may be required to justify a standard that is more stringent then a Codex standard if a difference gives rise to a trade dispute.”
The National Codex Committee (NCC) is chaired by the MoA permanent secretary, who is the focal point and link to the headquarters in Rome.
The NCC is responsible for promoting food quality and safety, promoting local food production, increasing training and education in all aspects of food safety, increasing awareness of food standards, in particular Codex standards, encouraging the use of Codex standards in the review of their food legislation, encouraging network with the national consumer council in order to improve consumer education information, and promoting participation in Codex activities.
“The NCC meets four times in a year and comprises of members from the ministries of agriculture, fisheries, health, Institute of Applied Science (USP), Bio-Security Authority of the Fiji Islands (BAFI) as well as the Consumer Council of Fiji,” Ms Nawaikula said.
“We basically have standards for every kind of food there is and the committee works closely with the organisation based in Rome.”
“The NCC has held several awareness programmes for food handlers, the hotel industry as well as food processors in trying to create more awareness on the importance of food standards.
“By standards, we look at the various types of food’s chemical content, residue right through to the packaging as well as transportation to its designated countries or areas.
“Standards have to be met at all times to ensure that the food is safe for consumers,” said Ms Nawaikula.
Codex is still a new topic for most stakeholders as well as private sector partners but more awareness is needed to understand Codex.