The Codex Alimentarius Commission held its 27th session from 28 June to 3 July 2004, in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Commission adopted a number of Codex standards and approved new work proposals, including the re-establishment of the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology.
According to its terms of reference, the Task Force has been re-established for a four-year period to develop standards, guidelines or recommendations on the basis of scientific evidence, risk analysis and having regard, where appropriate, to other legitimate factors relevant to consumers’ health and the promotion of fair practices in the food trade.
During its previous term, the Task Force developed a number of documents on foods derived from biotechnology, including the Principles for the Risk Analysis of Foods derived from Modern Biotechnology. Comments are now sought from member countries on the scope of the agenda of the Task Force. Click here for advance copies of the meeting’s report and annexes.