Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on microbiological risk assessment of viruses in foods Part 1: food attribution, analytical methods, and indicators
FAO HQ, Rome, Italy: 18-22 September 2023
Overview
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) on microbiological risk assessment of viruses in foods was convened in Rome, Italy from 18-22 September 2023 in response to the request by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) at its 53rd session in 2022. The Expert Committee reviewed recent scientific developments, data, and evidence associated with foodborne viruses to update the guidance CXG-079-2012. The CCFH requested JEMRA to provide scientific advice, specifically including: an up-to-date review of foodborne viruses and relevant food commodities of highest public health concern; a review of the analytical methods for relevant enteric viruses in food commodities; and a review of scientific evidence on the potential utility of viral indicators or other indicators of contamination.
This document summarizes the conclusions of the meeting, which focused on food attribution, analytical methods, and indicators, and was made available to facilitate the deliberations of the CCFH. The full report will be published as part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) Microbiological Risk Assessment (MRA) Series.