IBFAN attended the 48th Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) in Rome, once more raising the need for greater protection of children and due diligence in the scientific process. For the first time Ultra Processed Foods (UPF) were on the Codex agenda, reflecting the growing concern of the harm to human and planetary caused by these products.

As WHO announced new work on a definition and guidance for UPFs, the Union of Food scientists and Technology (IUFoST) made an alternative proposal,  claiming that “Given the interconnectedness of health, agriculture, and trade policies, Codex leadership is essential to ensure that food classification systems remain evidence-based, fair, and harmonized at the international level.”   IBFAN, the EU and many countries strongly supported the WHO proposal and did not take up the IUFoST proposal.   From a consumer perspective, the dual mandate of Codex – both to protect and consumer health and to facilitate fair trade – fundamentally compromises and undermines the credibility  of Codex for this task.  The many Codex standards with  minimal marketing safeguards  have boosted the global trade of UPFs – addictive, plastic wrapped unhealthy products with a long shelf life. If Codex is to move towards a One Health approach it should also consult environmental experts. 

Meanwhile Korea was elected at the Chair of the Codex Committee on Precessed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV)