The Zimbabwean government is committed proffer high level support as well as having national CODEX activities included in the national budget, a senior health and childcare ministry official said last Wednesday.
By Kuda Pembere
This was said at the CODEX Trust Fund 2 inception workshop by the Permanent Secretary in the Health and Childcare Ministry Dr Aspect Maunganidze in a speech read on his behalf by Government Analyst Laboratory Director Mr Livingstone Masiyambiri.
Zimbabwe successfully applied for the CTF2 in 2021, and preparations have been underway to initiate its implementation. The project goal is to enhance the profile, management, and knowledge of Codex work in Zimbabwe and the expected outcomes are to have a budget for national codex activities included in the national budget and high-level support of codex for which I pledge I will do,” he said.
Dr Maunganidze also said that other aims of the CTF2 include widening knowledge and understanding of Codex at national level among key policy makers and influential stakeholders, improving national capacity for developing food standards and regulations based on Codex, increasing uptake and use of Codex standards, guidelines, and codes of practice.
“All CODEX member countries are expected to establish a CODEX contact point of office (CCP) and a National CODEX Committee (NCC). The CCP is the interface between Zimbabwe and the CODEX Secretariat in Rome. The NCC debates and provides a country position on international food standards issues which is then relayed to the CODEX Secretariat through the CCP.
“It is therefore imperative that the NCC activities be strengthened in order for the country to have its positions heard during International Food Standards Setting Processes. This will ensure that our consumers’ health is protected and our food products are accepted in international markets. Zimbabwe joined CODEX in 1985 and designated the Government Analyst Laboratory as the CODEX contact office.
“The laboratory also hosts the Food Standards Advisory Board (FSAB). Because of its composition which includes all regulatory authorities with a stake in food safety, Consumers, Farmer Organisations, Food Manufacturers, Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and Retailers, the FSAB was designated as the National CODEX Committee (NCC),” he said.
He explained the CODEX Alimentarius shortened to CODEX is a joint programme between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) that was formed in 1964 to carry out international food standards setting.
“The purpose of setting international food standards is to protect consumer health through food safety standards and promote fair food trade practices in local, regional and international food trade,” Dr Maunganidze said.
The CTF 2 is worth US$150 000 with countries expected to implement activities within the next three years.
Patrice Talla, FAO Representative in Zimbabwe in a speech read on his behalf by Assistant FAO Representative – Programmes Ms Constance Pepukai said FAO will be working closely with the Government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders to implement the Codex Trust Fund 2.
“Ladies and gentlemen, FAO will be working closely with the Government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders to implement the Codex Trust Fund 2. It is quite imperative for Zimbabwe at this stage to partner with the Codex Alimentarius Commission so that the country harmonizes its food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice to international benchmarks.
