Arab Codex Initiative ‘key’ to ensure food safety-JSMO

Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation (JSMO), Abeer Zuhair, said the Arab Codex Initiative represents a basic pillar to ensure food safety and protect consumers, and reflects a common commitment to enhance quality and food safety standards in the Arab region. Speaking on Tuesday at the third 3-day Arab Codex Colloquium, Zuhair noted the event emphasizes the importance of pan-Arab cooperation and coordination to achieve a "healthy and safe" future for their societies, which contributes to achieve "sustainable" development and improve health of future generations. Referring to World Food Safety Day, which is celebrated annually on June 7, she said this occasion affirms the importance of adhering to food safety standards and making every possible effort to ensure that food is healthy and safe. Zuhair also stressed the need to highlight the role of every individual in the food supply chain in achieving this key goal. Zuhair added that the Kingdom's hosting of this event reflects its "deep" commitment to issues of food safety and regional cooperation, praising efforts of the participating parties to make "constructive" discussions that contribute to development of Arab Codex standards. Meanwhile, U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius, Dr. Mary Frances Lowe, stressed "depth" of U.S. relations with Jordan and the Arab countries, in the areas of food standards, noting the necessity of joint cooperation in developing skills and exchanging expertise to implement a global Codex system. Source: Jordan News Agency