ISO Focus - December 2008

Strengthening the food supply chain

ISO Focus, December 2008

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“We are what we eat,” they say. But even the most health conscious consumers can find it difficult to totally control the quality of the food they eat. Modern agricultural practices, animal feed and transportation containers have all given rise to safety concerns at one time or another.

The fact that food production in today’s global marketplace regularly crosses boundaries emphasizes the vital need for internationally recognized safety and quality controls.

This is where International Standards play a crucial role. By providing consistent harmonized specifications, they provide the tools to ensure that food around the world adheres to the same high standards.

The December issue of ISO Focus explores the work of a number of ISO’s committees and initiatives which aim to ensure the quality, safety and sustainability of food products along the production chain. It addresses topics ranging from food safety management systems to quality crops, food irradiation, and olives; radio frequency identification (RFID) of animals to aquaculture; and more.

Not to be missed, this issue also brings you views from some key players in the sector with which ISO collaborates to ensure a harmonized approach, such as the Codex Alimentarious Commission and the WTO SPS Committee.

And a bumper edition – the Developments and Initiatives section carries a special extended feature on the ISO 31^st General Assembly, which was held in October 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Comment

François Falconnet
Chair ISO/TC 34, Food products
Food security – Cultivating a responsible tomorrow

Guest view

Povl Krogsgaard
Vice Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Arla Foods

“Arla believes that International Standards are important to create and maintain confidence in the dairy industry.”

Main Focus

Strengthening the food supply chain

• From great achievements to a new beginning
• International standards for food safety – A collaborative approach
• Standards and the WTO SPS Agreement
• Standing for a non-negotiable right – The Global Food Safety Initiative
• Harvesting new collaboration – The International Olive Council
• Making it safe to eat – The ISO 22000 series
• Quality crops
• Irradiation – The new choice for food processing
• A greener approach to crop protection
• ISO enters a new field – Molecular biomarker analysis
• Got good milk? – Team effort for the dairy sector
• Keeping track – Radiofrequency identification of animals
• Sustainable aquaculture – Fundamentally international

Developments and Initiatives

• ISO 31^st General Assembly – A superlative occasion
• Open session – Buildings for a sustainable future

New on the shelf

• ISO launches second edition of award for higher education in standardization
• How ISO contributes to a sustainable world

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