The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) met in Rome, Italy on 22-31 October 2019 to evaluate whether people can safely consume small or trace amounts of seven veterinary drugs that may be found in foods of animal origin.
During the ten-day meeting, chaired by Dr Stefan Scheid and co-chaired by Professor Alan Boobis, the experts discussed the safety of residues of:
- Diflubenzuron
- Ethion
- Flumethrin
- Fosfomycin
- Halquinol
- Ivermectin
- Selamectin
The findings are outlined in a summary report, which has been released in anticipation of a more comprehensive final report due in early 2020.
The October JECFA meeting also discussed principles for: evaluating the safety of residues of veterinary drugs in food; establishing acceptable daily intakes (ADIs); and recommending maximum residue limits (MRLs) for such residues when the drugs under consideration are administered to food-producing animals in accordance with good veterinary practices.
Read the summary report: JECFA_88_Summary Report
The Committee’s work will serve as guidance for WHO and FAO Member States and the Codex Alimentarius Commission. In particular the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) will take this scientific advice into account for its next meeting in May 2020.
JECFA, an international scientific expert committee managed jointly by WHO and FAO, has been meeting since 1956 to evaluate the safety of food additives, contaminants, naturally occurring toxicants and residues of veterinary drugs in food. This meeting was its 88th session.