Latest news with #GodfreyMagwenzi
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Codex recognition: India's millet standards praised at Rome meet; fresh date, turmeric norms also advanced
India's global leadership in food safety and standard-setting received a boost at the 88th Executive Committee meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC88), with its millet grain standards earning praise at the high-level gathering held in Rome from July 14 to 18. According to an official statement, the international forum acknowledged India's efforts in spearheading the development of group standards for whole millet grains. The initiative—chaired by India in coordination with Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal—was first cleared at the 47th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC47) in 2024, and reviewed again during the Rome meet, ANI reported ani The terms of reference for the millet standardisation initiative were finalised earlier this year at the 11th session of the Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (CCCPL11) in April 2025. India, a current elected member of CCEXEC, played a prominent role at the Rome meeting, which was inaugurated by Godfrey Magwenzi, Deputy Director-General and Director of Cabinet at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Executive Committee also commended India's leadership in advancing new international standards for fresh dates—a proposal stemming from the 23rd session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV23). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo These draft standards are now set to be reviewed for final adoption at the 48th CAC session scheduled for November 2025. India will also co-chair upcoming Codex initiatives to develop global standards for fresh turmeric and broccoli. During the Rome meet, India contributed significantly to the shaping of the Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031, particularly in establishing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) aimed at ensuring effective implementation and accountability. India also highlighted its regional capacity-building efforts in countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which were recognised by the FAO for their impact. It urged underrepresented Codex member states to take advantage of the Codex Trust Fund to support mentorship and strengthen food safety systems. The Indian delegation, comprising officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), played a key role in promoting inclusive international standards while advancing national priorities. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu: UN experts raise alarm over growing risks to food supply
Food and agriculture experts from the United Nations issued a warning about a growing bird flu crisis amid widespread poultry infections and spillover into people and animals worldwide. Speaking from Rome, officials from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) told member countries that better disease monitoring, biosecurity measures, and outbreak control are needed to combat the risks as the avian influenza known as H5N1 spreads. Avian influenza has been widespread in wild birds across the globe in recent years, but the virus' jump from birds to mammals – including a large outbreak among dairy cattle in the United States since last year – has raised concerns among public health and food safety experts. Related Bird flu has been spreading undetected in cows and vets, according to US CDC report The spread of the virus among birds is 'leading to serious impacts on food security and food supply in countries, including loss of valuable nutrition, rural jobs and income, shocks to local economies, and of course, increasing costs to consumers,' FAO Deputy Director-General Godfrey Magwenzi said. At least 300 wild bird species have been affected by the virus since 2021, the UN agency said, adding that in addition to better disease surveillance and biosecurity measures, governments should 'consider a potential role for vaccination' to limit the risks from bird flu. Beyond poultry and the US dairy cattle outbreak, the virus has infected zoo animals, cats, and wild animals worldwide. Related Austria's Health Ministry declares whole country an avian influenza high risk area Several people have also been infected. The US reported its first human death from bird flu in January, and 69 others have been sickened by H5N1, according to a US health agency. A person in the United Kingdom was infected with a different strain of bird flu in January after being in contact with infected birds on a farm. So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission, and European health officials say the risk to the public remains low. Related Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa is 'widespread,' EU health and food safety authorities warn However, European scientists have identified 34 genetic mutations that could make it easier for H5N1 to adapt and spread among people. Meanwhile in December, the UK said it was stockpiling five million bird flu vaccines for people in case the virus evolves to a point where it can better infect humans and cause a pandemic. Beth Bechdol, another FAO deputy, told countries that international cooperation will be needed to contain the virus and curb the risks it poses to people and the food supply. 'A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,' Bechdol said.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
U.N. agency warns bird flu spreading at 'unprecedented' scale, calls for global response
March 18 (UPI) -- A United Nations health agency has called the spread of H5N1 bird flu "unprecedented" and called on world leaders to coordinate a global response. On Monday, the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization cited hundreds of millions of poultry lost around the world as concern rises among health experts over the spread of the H5N1 bird flu and its spillover into other mammals, including cows. Godfrey Magwenzi, deputy director-general of FAO, said that the growing health crisis has a "serious impact on food security and food supply in countries, including loss of valuable nutrition, rural jobs and income, shocks to local economies, and, of course, increasing costs to consumers." He noted a major shift in the last four years in its geographic spread, with at least 300 new wild bird species since 2021 afflicted with bird flu, which pose "a serious threat to biodiversity." The United States has recorded about 70 bird flu cases of bird flu in poultry and cattle, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, health officials have called for urgent action to strengthen biosecurity, surveillance and "rapid-response mechanisms" to curb the outbreak. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has scrambled to rehire federal employees working on the U.S. government's bird flu response after they fell victim to mass firings by the administration and billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link," said FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol, as she called for a coordinated global response. "By working together, we can reduce the impact of avian influenza and protect both animal and human health -- locally and globally." Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its plan to invest $1 billion to stop the spread and hopefully reduce the rising price of eggs. Some restaurants have begun to charge a surcharge on egg dishes to cover the added cost.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
H5N1 bird flu spread ‘unprecedented,' UN agency warns
A United Nations food agency warned that the continued spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus is an unprecedented food security risk that requires a coordinated global response. In a briefing held on Monday, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations cited the loss of hundreds of millions of poultry around the world and the increasing spillover into mammals as key concerns stemming from the spread of the H5N1 bird flu. The agency noted a major shift in bird flu's geographic spread in the past four years, with at least 300 newly affected wild bird species since 2021. Calling the spread unprecedented, FAO Deputy Director-General Godfrey Magwenzi said the disease was 'leading to serious impacts on food security and food supply in countries, including loss of valuable nutrition, rural jobs and income, shocks to local economies, and of course increasing costs to consumers.' FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol called for a coordinated global response, saying, 'A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. By working together, we can reduce the impact of avian influenza and protect both animal and human health – locally and globally.' The agency called on countries to enhance surveillance and reporting of bird flu; improve lab capacity; develop and implement preparedness plans; consider vaccinations in the response; and to promote risk management through biosecurity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has 70 cases of bird flu, including 41 cattle herds as well as 24 poultry farms and culling operations. As a zoological disease, there have been no reported cases of human-to-human transmission so far and the risk to the public remains low. Last month, the Department of Agriculture released a plan to invest $1 billion to combat the bird flu and reduce egg prices. In Mississippi, a strain of highly pathogenic bird flu that hasn't been seen in the U.S. since 2017 was reported in a commercial flock. This occurrence is believed to be unrelated to the current H5N1 spread. The disease has been credited with causing egg prices to spike, and restaurants have begun implementing surcharges for egg dishes. The Justice Department, however, is also reportedly investigating whether major egg producers are colluding to increase prices while using the bird flu situation as a cover. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
18-03-2025
- Health
- The Hill
H5N1 bird flu spread ‘unprecedented,' UN agency warns
A United Nations food agency warned that the continued spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus is an unprecedented food security risk that requires a coordinated global response. In a briefing held on Monday, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) cited the loss of hundreds of millions of poultry around the world and the increasing spillover into mammals as key concerns stemming from the spread of the H5N1 bird flu. The agency noted a major shift in bird flu's geographic spread in the past four years, with at least 300 newly affected wild bird species since 2021. Calling the spread unprecedented, FAO Deputy Director-General Godfrey Magwenzi said the disease was 'leading to serious impacts on food security and food supply in countries, including loss of valuable nutrition, rural jobs and income, shocks to local economies, and of course increasing costs to consumers.' FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol called for a coordinated global response, saying, 'A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. By working together, we can reduce the impact of avian influenza and protect both animal and human health – locally and globally.' The agency called on countries to enhance surveillance and reporting of bird flu; improve lab capacity; develop and implement preparedness plans; consider vaccinations in the response; and to promote risk management through biosecurity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are currently 70 cases of bird flu across the country, including 41 cattle herds as well as 24 poultry farms and culling operations. A zoological disease, there have been no reported cases of human-to-human transmission so far and the risk to the public remains low. Last month, the Department of Agriculture released a plan to invest $1 billion to combat the bird flu and reduce egg prices. In Mississippi, a strain of highly pathogenic bird flu that hasn't been seen in the U.S. since 2017 was reported in a commercial flock. This occurrence is believed to be unrelated to the current H5N1 spread. The disease has been credited with causing egg prices to spike and restaurants have begun implementing surcharges for egg dishes. The Justice Department, however, is also reportedly investigating whether major egg producers are colluding to increase prices while using the bird flu situation as a cover.
