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Vet Drugs
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Codex Alimentarius
Posted By:
Nevena Vujosevic
On July 2-6, 2018, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) held a meeting in Rome, Italy, to discuss and adopt several points related to food safety and quality standards. Among topics discussed were additives, contaminants, pesticides, vet drugs and nutrition labeling.
As for the additives, a new consolidated version of CODEX STAN 192-1995 General Standard for Food Additives including new limits for different food additives was published on July 18, 2018. Food additive sections of 15 product standards were revised and aligned with General Standard 192-1995.
The Commission adopted maximum residue limits for certain veterinary drugs including gentian violet, amoxicillin, ampicillin, lufenuron, and monepantel. Gentian violet, used as antifungal vet drug, drew major attention since a safe exposure level could not be defined. Authorities should prevent residues of this drug in food.
Maximum residue limits were adopted for more than 26 different pesticides in various foods and feeds.
Concerning contaminants, the Commission adopted a Code of Practice to reduce dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs in food and feed. People are exposed to dioxins mainly through animal products. The Code is updated following a risk assessment of JECFA. Furthermore, new limits for methylmercury found in fish were established.
Read more on key decisions from CAC41