UN Sets Stronger Global Regulations on Lead in Infant Formula, Arsenic in Rice
July 17, 2014 4:19 PM EDT | Source: NewMediaWire
Geneva, Switzerland--(Newsfile Corp. - July 17, 2014) - UN food standards body the Codex Alimentarius Commission this
week adopted new standards to protect consumer health worldwide, including
setting out maximum acceptable levels of lead in infant formula and of arsenic
in rice.
Jointly run by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Codex Alimentarius Commission sets
international food safety and quality standards to promote safer and more
nutritious food for consumers worldwide. Codex standards serve in many cases as
a basis for national legislation, and provide the food safety benchmarks for
international food trade.
The annual
meeting this week was attended by representatives from 170 countries and
the European Union, as well as 30 international governmental and
non-governmental organizations.
Lead in infant formula
The Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted a recommendation that no more than
0.01 mg per kg of lead should be permitted in infant formula as consumed.
Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of
lead. They can suffer profound and permanent adverse health effects,
particularly affecting the development of the brain and nervous system, which
can diminish their ability to learn.
Lead occurs in the environment and trace amounts can end up in the ingredients
that are used in the production of infant formula.
Levels of lead in infant formula can be controlled by sourcing raw materials
from areas where lead is less present.
Arsenic in rice
For the first time, Codex has adopted a maximum level for arsenic in rice of
0.2 mg/kg.
Long-term exposure to arsenic can cause cancer and skin lesions. It has also
been associated with developmental effects, heart disease, diabetes, and damage
the nervous system and brain.
Arsenic is naturally present at high levels in the groundwater and soil in some
parts of the world. The toxic element can enter the food chain when it is
absorbed by crops from water and soil.
Rice in particular can take up more arsenic than other crops and as a staple
food for millions of people can contribute significantly to arsenic exposure,
which is detrimental to human health.
Arsenic contamination in rice is of particular concern in some Asian countries
where paddy fields are irrigated with groundwater containing arsenic-rich
sediments pumped from shallow tube wells. Improved irrigation and agricultural
practices can help reduce arsenic contamination, for example growing crops in
raised beds instead of flooded fields.
The Commission also agreed to develop a new code of practice that will help
countries comply with the maximum level set and provide producers with good
agricultural and manufacturing techniques to prevent and reduce contamination.
Veterinary drugs
Codex recommended that the use of certain veterinary drugs should be restricted
in food-producing animals in order to prevent residual amounts of the drugs
remaining in meat, milk, eggs or honey.
The eight drugs (chloramphenicol, malachite green, carbadox, furazolidone,
nitrofural, chlorpromazine, stilbenes and olaquinadox), including
antimicrobials and growth promoters, can potentially have adverse effects on
human health and may contribute to the development of drug resistance.
Other measures
Countries also agreed on maximum levels of pesticide residues and additives in
foods as well as maximum levels of contaminants, including toxins called
fumonisins that are produced by mould growing on maize. Other measures include
new safety and quality standards for foods such as raw scallops, passion fruit,
durian and okra. http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/238558/icode/
Future work
Countries decided on a range of topics for future development, including
establishing standards for black, white and green pepper, cumin, oregano, thyme
and garlic, and setting maximum levels for cadmium in chocolate and
cocoa-derived products.
The Commission also discussed the need for a Codex standard for ready-to-eat
foods for malnourished children, on the proposal from UNICEF, to guarantee the
safety and quality of such foods. The Commission decided to follow up on this
discussion at its Committee
on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses.
ABOUT CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION
The Codex Alimentarius Commission, established by FAO and WHO in 1963 develops harmonised international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice to protect the health of the consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade. The Commission also promotes coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Read:
Audio:
Interview with Tom Heilandt and Annamaria Bruno from the Codex ALimentarius Secretariat
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_GD4MY2PCE0
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WHO International Food Standards
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