Codex Alimentarius Commission discusses safety of genetically modified foods, approves toxin limits and guidelines for organic livestock farming

Geneva, 6 July - The Codex Alimentarius Commission has agreed on the first global principles for the safety assessment of genetically modified foods, on maximum levels of certain food toxins, and on guidelines for organic livestock production, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a joint statement today.

The Codex Commission agreed in principle that the safety of food derived from genetically modified organisms (GMO) should be tested and approved by governments prior to entering the market. In particular, GMO foods should be tested for their potential to cause allergic reactions.

The Commission also approved a series of new maximum levels of environmental contaminants, particularly lead, cadmium, and aflatoxin, found in food, such as fruit juices, cereals, and milk.

http://www.biotech-info.net/toxin_limits.html

"For example, lead is detrimental to the intellectual development of young children and the new standards adopted by the Commission definitely improve the current situation.

The Codex Commission also set maximum levels of aflatoxin in milk and milk products. Aflatoxin is a carcinogenic substance that can be transmitted from animal feed (for example, peanuts and corn) into milk. The new maximum limit for aflatoxin in milk is 0.5 micrograms per kilogram.

Some countries argued for a stricter aflatoxin limit of 0.05 micrograms per kilogram. However the majority of countries agreed that the higher limit was more feasible, particularly in developing countries.

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aflatoxin permitted levels: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fdaact.html#afla
cadmium permitted levels: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fdaact.html#cadm
lead permitted levels: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fdaact.html#lead
mercury permitted levels: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fdaact.html#merc
DDT,DDE, TDE permitted levels: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fdaact.html#ddt