Provides an introduction to radioactivity and radiation with an emphasis on analytical methodology for determining radiounclides in food. Background information covered includes radioactivity in the environment, metabolism of radiation in humans and animals, and radiounclides in the food chain.

FAO and WHO have a long history of providing scientific advice on food safety and nutrition to Codex Alimentarius and FAO/WHO member countries. Since 2003, both organizations have been implementing a consultative process to guide their efforts to improve the quality, quantity and timeless of the scientific advice provided. The consultative process has followed several steps, including a planning meeting, an electronic forum and a workshop, facilitating an open and transparent review process that considered the opinions of all interested parties. Through this process, two key issues have been identified - the urgent need to enhance the participation of experts from developing countries in the discussions and expert meetings used to generate and provide the advice, and the importance of considering data and information from developing countries in all deliberations. FAO and WHO therefore held a meeting on this matter in December 2005 in Belgrade to address these needs. The report highlights the mechanisms identified by the meeting to reach out better to qualified experts and institutions in developing countries, including mechanisms to search for information and experts that may not be easily accessible through normal channels, and suggested plans to strengthen the capacity of developing country experts to participate effectively in expert meetings, including training efforts at international and national levels, involving governmental, non-governmental and scientific institutions. The report calls on commitment from governments, industry and academia at national and regional levels to generate scientific data from developing countries and facilitate their input to international FAO/WHO scientific advice.

This publication contains information on the identity and purity of certain food additives prepared at the 63rd session of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), held in Geneva, Switzerland, in June 2004. The aim is to identify substances subject to biological testing, to ensure they meet purity levels required for safe use in food and to reflect and encourage good manufacturing practice. There were a total of 217 specifications considered at the 63rd meeting, including 20 additives and 197 flavouring agents; with 186 compounds newly adopted, of which five remained tentative, and with 31 specifications revised, of which three remained tentative.

This report summarizes the findings of the Joint Meeting on the risk assessments of salmonella in eggs and broiler chickens, and listeria in ready-to-eat foods. It presents a preliminary response to the specific risk management questions posed by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene. It provides advice on how these risk assessments can be used and adapted by FAO and WHO member countries.

On cover: Cefuroxime sodium, Cypermethrin, alpha-Cypermethrin, Doramectin, Lincomycin, Melengestrol acetate, Pirlimycin, Ractopamine