Prior to the Codex meeting, WHO, in cooperation with FAO, had prepared a discussion paper entitled “Implementation of the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health: Action that Could be Taken by Codex”.
Paragraph eleven of this paper made the following observation:
Recognizing that the dietary goals of the Global Strategy have been based on the advances and improved understanding within the field of nutrition, it is possible that the Global Strategy in particular, but other nutrition-related interests in general, would benefit if consideration were given to the possibility of considering amendments to the terms of reference of CCFL and/or CCNFSDU or to establish an ad hoc task force, as appropriate. Related issues may include mechanisms for seeking scientific advice and strategies for dealing with the increased need for data collection and monitoring activities.
Transcript from part of a meeting held in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday 7th July, 2005
However, the existence of this paragraph in the WHO/FAO discussion paper appears to have been the subject of a great deal of misunderstanding amongst some sections of the health freedom community, as at no time during the meetings in Rome did anybody actually state that that the terms of reference of the two Codex committees, CCFL (Codex Committee on Food Labelling) and CCNFSDU (Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses), were going to be changed. And, just as importantly, nor was it stated that Codex would either “ implement the WHO Global Strategy for world health through diet, physical exercise and nutrition”, or develop a “relationship with nutrition as demanded by WHO.”
During the meeting, the WHO/FAO paper was introduced by Dr. Ingrid Keller of the WHO, who described it as follows:
This strategy is a comprehensive set of policy options that countries can adopt, as appropriate, and in their national circumstances, and the strategy recognizes that actions to prevent chronic diseases are needed at international, regional, national, community and individual levels.
In endorsing the strategy, WHO calls upon the Codex Alimentarius Committee, and I quote here, “to continue to give full consideration, within the framework of its operational mandate, to evidence-based action it might take to improve the health standards of foods consistent with the aims and objectives of the strategy.”
At the 55 th Session of the Executive Committee of Codex it was agreed to ask WHO and FAO to prepare a document highlighting the actions that could be taken by Codex, in the framework of its mandate, to facilitate the implementation of the Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, which is document LIM/6.
In preparing this paper, WHO and FAO recognize that the Global Strategy is a relatively new strategy, that the relevant issues need further analysis and consultation, and that coordination of ongoing activities is needed.
Two Codex Committees seem to be directly germane to the issues raised by this global strategy, which are CCFL and CCNFSDU. So WHO therefore invites the Commission to adopt the recommendations of the Codex Executive Committee, for WHO and FAO to produce a more focussed document for consideration by CCFL and CCNFSDU.
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Provided by The Dr. Rath Health Foundation on 10/27/2005