Upcoming Codex Meeting to Discuss Food Import, Export Inspections

The Office for the Under Secretary for Food Safety, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration have announced an
October 4, 2011, public meeting in Washington, D.C., to provide information
and receive public comments on draft U.S. positions to be discussed at the
19th session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection
and Certification Systems (CCFICS) on October 17-21 in Cairns, Australia.

CCFICS is responsible for such things as “harmonizing methods and procedures
which protect the health of consumers, ensure fair trading practices
and facilitate international trade in foodstuffs.” Agenda items include relevant
activities of the World Health Organization and draft guidelines for national
food-control systems. See Federal Register, September 27, 2011.