Opening the 17th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food, the Panamanian leader urged to guarantee codes to protect population from contamination and contribute to ensure quality and equity in international trade of these vital products.

Before representatives from over 180 countries, Cortizo said Panama will continue stepping up efforts and collaboration to establishing maximum residue limits and harmonized standards to facilitate international trade and protect citizens.

He also called on farmers to raise awareness of the rational use of inputs to protect and preserve food from the time it is planted until it reaches the consumer’s table.

The Codex Alimentarius contains provisions on food hygiene, additives, pesticide residues and veterinary drugs; contaminants, labeling and presentation; methods of analysis and sampling; and import and export inspection and certification.

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