Ugandan born Swiss heads World food standards body
By Pascal Kwesiga
A Uganda born Swiss national has been appointed chairperson of Codex Alimentarius Commission in Geneva.
Codex Almentarius is a world body charged with the responsibility of setting standards for food safety and trade to protect consumers' health.
Pernet Awilo Ochieng beat Samuel Godfrey from Canada to take the job. She was voted for by 109 countries while 55 voted for Samuel during a meeting attended by representatives from member countries in Geneva yesterday.
Codex Alimentarius was established in the 1960s by two United Nations organizations; the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Over 160 countries subscribe to this organization.
Member countries participate in developing food safety standards and ensure better practices are adhered to in food trade.
Codex Alimentarius standards are not legally binding to all countries, although they are believed to be based on sound science.
For instance the World Trade Organization refers to Codex standards when trying to settle trade disputes involving foodstuffs or food products.
Codex Alimentarius is run by a commission, which is an intergovernmental body whose members are elected by member states.
Ochieng, a lawyer by training, has worked for the International food safety regulatory body since 1999. She has also been the commission's vice chairperson since 2011.
Ochieng, who is also a nutritionist, will chair the commission for the next three years.
"My aim is to act as a bridge builder between Codex members and to recruit more individuals and organisations to make an active contribution to Codex Alimentarius" she said after her election.
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