IBFAN interventions at CAC 47 – Video clips
PHOTOS above all copyright © FAO/Roberto Sciotti
Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC47)
25/11/2024 – 30/11/2024 Geneva, Switzerland
WEBCAST DRAFT REPORT Participants
Codex Executive Committee (CX/EXEC 87) 18 – 22 November 2024
Relevant topics at CAC47:
Codex Labelling Committee (CCFL)
New work proposal on application of food labelling provisions in emergencies. IBFAN comment (CAC47/CRD51)
We made an intervention explaining why we are so worried about this proposal to allow exemptions on labelling of foods for emergencies. The title changed over time its not immediately clear that the purpose of the proposal is to ALLOW EXEMPTIONS to labelling requirements. The Labelling Committee (CCFL) will not meet until 2026 so this proposal – with its minimal safeguards – will be used by companies in their lobbying. We were supported by Ghana who made several supporting statements but no country actually requested it to be sent back to the Labelling Committee for improvement. This was a big ask – who dares to ask for a 2-year delay on a guideline on emergencies? See recording on DAY 3 – morning session here
Guidelines e-commerce and the use of technology to provide food information in food labelling
We made an intervention saying that the CCFL debate on this item was not adequate and reflected the lack of attention to prioritisation and global health.. Our call for extra safeguards to protect privacy, prevent the harvesting of personal data and ensure that digital labelling does not lead purchasers to inappropriate material. We consider that the Guidelines are ‘naive’ and ignore the deep problems with digital marketing – now the predominant source of exposure to misinformation on baby feeding products with enormous cross border extent and power. We were not successful in getting this guideline reconsidered.
We made an intervention about the Guidelines
Proposal to start work on a new baby food standard This is the only proposal that survived the prioritisation process that took place in the Nutrition Committee (CCNFSDU). Three proposals on synthetic fibre, Optional ingredients in formulas and probiotic claims were all rejected. We made the comment that the old standards are not fit for purpose especially the old canned food standard that has no limits on sugar and the 2006 baby cereal standard that allows up to 30%. Many of these products are ultra-processed, add to the plastic burden and unless this standard has strict labelling and marketing safeguards – including via digital – and is in line with WHO recommendations, the Standard could undermine the work going on at national level to remove added sugars, sweeteners and synthetic additives. We reminded the meeting that these products are not necessary and that after 6 months infants can eat bio-diverse, healthy family foods alongside continued breastfeeding.
CODEX STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2031 (CX/CAC 24/47/21) This was adopted
We made an intervention pointing out that IBFAN is an NGO that has followed Codex closely for many decades and for whom Codex has been a huge problem, often undermining government efforts to protect child health. We said we would dearly like to welcome the plan which includes many laudable aims, but can only do so if we have assurance that the changes proposed will be MEANINGFUL There is a huge diversity of opinion on – for example on role of ultra-processsed foods – in the “triple planetary crisis.” The lack of conflict of interest safeguards and transparency and the fact that its standards so often conflict with the recommendations of the World Health Assembly – the world’s highest health policy-setting body –have been a big problem for our work supporting government efforts to protect child health. Prioritization, credible science, is critical along with respect and harmonization with WHO recommendations. Members must be given enough time to look more deeply into issues – when this happens – as they were in the Nutrition meeting, where worrying ideas were rejected.
Background:
The WHO/FAO global standards setting body, Codex Alimentarius, discussed many issues that will affect infant and young child feeding at its nutrition meeting in Dresden, Germany (2-6 Oct) and Quebec City, Canada (26 Oct-1st Nov). The agendas included alcohol, e-commerce and technologies, exemptions for foods for emergencies, added sugar and sweeteners along with discussion about the future direction of Codex and how it should prioritise its work to meet today’s challenges. Final decisions regarding the proposals will be made at the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC47) that will be webcast and hybrid to enable those who register to intervene. The Codex Executive Committee will take place the week before. Codex has not yet addressed the issue of One Health so the side event at CAC47 at lunchtime on 29 November will be important. This will focus on effective nutrition labelling within the context of Codex guidance and the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). WHO will provide an update on classifying foods for food environment policies.
To find out why IBFAN has followed Codex so closely over the years see this Compilation of Blogs and Press releases
Excerpts fro the Draft report of CAC47
Paras 150-153 – CCNFSDU
Standard for foods for older infants and young children
- CAC47 noted that CCNFSDU44 had applied the Guideline for the preliminary assessment to identify and prioritize new work for CCNFSDU for work management resulting in this proposal for new work.
- There was general support for the new work as it would replace the outdated Standard for canned baby foods (CXS 73-1981) and Standard for processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children (CXS 74-1981) and include foods being offered for sale that were not covered by the two existing standards and would ensure that foods for this age group were safe and nutritionally adequate.
- Some concerns were expressed that the development of the standard should not lead to the promotion of processed foods as an alternative to resolving nutrition conditions for older infants and young children or lead to replacement of home-based foods or affect the promotion of breastfeeding. It was also requested that the standard consider the recommendations of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and WHO.
- An Observer noted that the new standard should ensure strict labelling and marketing safeguards and should be in line with the WHO recommendations.