International food safety experts meet in Paihia

International food safety experts meet in Paihia

Leading international food safety experts from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA), Australia, Canada and the United States are meeting in Paihia this week to discuss the best ways to provide safe and suitable food for consumers.

The four countries, all members of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, make up the Quadrilateral Group set up in 1992 to collaborate on food safety issues and initiatives.

NZFSA Executive Director Andrew McKenzie says the QUAD relationships are vitally important to trade.

"They provide a forum to share knowledge and discuss international best practice standards for food safety, as well as learn from the challenges our industry and colleagues are facing.

"We work together on food standards and ensuring fair trade practices at Codex meetings, and the QUAD meetings are an extension of our partnership."

Sixty-five representatives are expected to attend with additional experts participating in sessions via video and audio conferencing. The implementation of a Code of Practice (COP) on Meat Hygiene is one of the topics on the agenda.

"As a major meat exporter New Zealand was involved in the development of this COP, as were the other QUAD members. This meeting gives us the chance to review the implementation phase, share our experiences and discuss and resolve issues."

Delegates will also consider dairy product risk assessment and management issues, nutrition and labelling and equivalence in international food safety systems as well as updates on national developments within each country.

NZFSA representatives will discuss the Government's approval of the Domestic Food Review, the progress of the Imported Food Review and proposed new regulations for dietary supplements.

Dr McKenzie says: "We are all trade partners and we are working together toward the goal of providing safe food to all our consumers."

Editors' note: The Codex Alimentarius Commission is the pre-eminent international food standards-setting body that helps facilitate global trading relationships. For more information on Codex visit www.codexalimtarius.net. NZFSA is the lead agency for Codex matters in New Zealand and is responsible for managing the country's input and participation.

ENDS

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