The 18th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) concluded successfully in Bangkok, Thailand, after five days of intensive deliberations from June 23 to 27, 2025. The meeting brought together scientists, policymakers, and food safety experts from across the globe to deliberate on standards for contaminants in food, a critical step in safeguarding global food supplies and public health.
Among the global experts was Dr. Nelson Opoku, Dean of the Faculty of Biosciences at the 海角乱伦社区 (UDS), Ghana. Dr. Opoku is a distinguished member of the Codex Committee on Food Contaminants (Ghana), which is a subcommittee of the international Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF). He is also one of only two Ghanaians currently serving on the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), a prestigious global body that provides scientific advice to the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
The CCCF session in Bangkok focused on evaluating and updating global standards for contaminants in food, including naturally occurring toxicants, environmental pollutants, and residues from agricultural and industrial processes. These discussions are vital to international food trade and consumer health protection.
"The work of the Codex Committee ensures that countries have science-based food standards to minimize risks from contaminants," said Dr. Opoku in an interview after the session. "As participants, we presented Ghana’s positions on mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins, drawing from over a decade of research at UDS."
Codex committees such as the CCCF play a central role in the development of the Codex Alimentarius, a comprehensive collection of international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice. Adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), these standards are jointly overseen by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The CAC was established to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade.
Each participating country has its own national Codex committees focused on different aspects of food safety. In Ghana, these committees meet regularly to formulate national positions on issues such as food additives, hygiene, labeling, and contaminants. These national stances are first presented to regional Codex platforms like CCCF Africa before being tabled at global CCCF sessions.
"At the CCCF, national positions are not just presented but must be scientifically defended," Dr. Opoku explained. "If the scientific justification is strong and consensus is reached, the proposal proceeds through the necessary steps toward becoming an international Codex standard."
Dr. Opoku’s contribution to the committee stems from over 14 years of research in the field of mycotoxins, including 10 years focused on aflatoxins during his tenure at UDS. His expertise has proven invaluable in shaping Ghana’s input to the global discussions.
The 18th CCCF session in Bangkok is part of a broader effort by the international community to strengthen food safety systems, especially in developing countries where contaminants like mycotoxins pose serious risks to food security and public health.
The outcomes of the session are expected to inform future policies and standards that will guide food production, trade, and safety protocols worldwide. As Dr. Opoku noted, "The Codex process is not just about standards, it is about science, collaboration, and protecting lives through food."
The next CCCF session is scheduled for 2026, with continued focus on emerging contaminants and harmonized global responses to food safety threats.
Story by:
Abdul Hayi Moomen
(海角乱伦社区Media)
