It was a gathering of high level policy and decision makers at the public presentation of the 4th Edition of the revised National Codex Committee Procedural Manual in Abuja.
The awareness and advocacy workshop was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the National Codex Committee.
Speaking at the forum, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Representative to Nigeria, Fred Kafeero said the agency has been working with World Health Organisation in the development of international food standards, guidelines and codes of practices to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair trade practices in the food trade using the principles of risk analysis and scientific advice provided by joint FAO and WHO expert bodies and consultations.
Represented by the FAO Assistant Representative, Administration, David Fehintola, the FAO country rep. said its office in Nigeria with support from the regional office for Africa has continued to partner the Government and the National Codex Committee towards creating effective and efficient policies and strategies to eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in the country.
The Director General, Standards Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Mallam Farouk Salim said FAO and the National Codex Committee played significant role in the elaboration of food Standards at the International level especially at the various committees of the Codex Alimentarius Commission where Standards are adopted at the National level.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Olobayo Kunle, the SON Director General noted that NCC contributed to the review of the Food safety policy and Food safety Bill in Nigeria.
Other stakeholders also spoke on the significance of the revised National Codex Committee Procedural Manual.
The National Codex Committee (NCC) was set up in July 1973 by the Federal Executive Council to provide a platform for the activities of Codex at the National level, advise the Government on National Policy on food safety and its implementation strategy, quality and international trade in food and agricultural produce.
The committee was reconstituted in 2002 to incorporate more stakeholders for effective performance of Codex activities in Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Health Chairs the Committee while the Secretariat is domiciled in Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
