Report of the Workshop on Harmonization of Food Law and Regulations in Latin America and the Caribbean (Agenda item 10)[8]

69. Dr. Eduardo Mendez, FAO Consultant, recalled the recommendations of the FAO Meeting on Harmonization of the Basic Food Law/Regulations (San José, Costa Rica, 29-31 January 1997) and introduced the report of the Workshop held prior to the session on 23-24 February 1997 with the purpose of facilitating harmonization of food legislation in the Region.

70. The Committee endorsed the recommendations of the Workshop, as follows:

(i) The Latin American model food law should be reviewed and updated to take into account the obligations under the WTO SPS and TBT Agreements.

(ii) Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations should be used in reviewing or establishing national food laws and regulations

(iii) Many countries recommended the gradual replacement of product registration with a system to monitor the application of good manufacturing practices throughout the food chain and the implementation of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System.

(iv) Information and surveillance systems on foodborne diseases and food safety and quality should be developed or strengthened as a means to establish effective food control programmes.

(v) Mechanisms of harmonization, equivalence and mutual recognition based on Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations should be developed further to assure consumer protection and promote food trade.

(vi) Additional technical assistance should be provided in the development of food legislation and effective food control programmes including strengthening food inspection and food analysis capabilities. Specifically, countries requested that FAO provide assistance in strengthening National Codex Committees to include input from all food control agencies, the food industry and consumer organizations in inputting into the Codex process and disseminating information on Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations to the appropriate food control and consumer protection organizations.

(vii) Food legislation should include appropriate penalties for violation of the legislation.

(viii) The PAHO/INPPAZ information system on food legislation should be incorporated by countries of the region in the framework of their integration activities. For this purpose, interested countries should designate a focal point, conduct training workshops and conduct periodical assessments of the project.