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:
(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.(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.
71. The Committee expressed its appreciation for the
opportunity to participate in the Workshop and its support for the continued
practice of holding such workshops prior to the Committee.