Asia Codex and Food Regulatory Forum 2025 – Highlights from Bangkok

The Asia Codex and Food Regulatory Forum 2025 was held on 18–20 August 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, in hybrid mode. The Forum was co-organized by the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST), a Codex Observer, through its disciplinary organization for food regulatory science: the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS), together with food science organizations in Thailand and in Asia, and was led by Aya Orito Nozawa from Japan, Chair of the upcoming 23rd session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Asia (CCASIA23).

The Forum opened with welcome remarks from the organizers and Tian Jing, Vice-Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), who underlined the importance of regional solidarity in Codex. Orito Nozawa emphasized Asia’s role in shaping global food standards and called the Forum “a special opportunity toward CCASIA23 and the 48th session of CAC, where our diverse region can work together to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the food trade, and make Codex work more relevant for the future.” The opening also featured comments from Samuel Godefroy, representing IUFoST and former CAC Vice-Chairperson, who stressed the value of science-based and collaborative approaches to food safety and trade, declaring “By uniting regulators, scientists, and stakeholders, this Forum strengthens Asia’s collective voice in Codex and advances modern, science-based food standards”.

The Forum’s main aim was to strengthen regional collaboration in Codex work, ensuring that Asia’s voice remains strong and well-coordinated at the international level toward CCASIA23 and CAC48. The meeting also sought to build capacity, align advocacy strategies, and explore science-based and culturally sensitive approaches to food safety and trade.

Nearly 80 participants from 18 countries across Asia attended. They included national Codex Contact Points and representatives of national food authorities, ensuring both technical and cultural perspectives were reflected.

Participants reviewed outputs from recent Codex committee meetings, including the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS), the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP), the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF), and the Codex executive committee (CCEXEC), and were briefed on the upcoming work of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) and the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH). They also examined emerging issues such as novel foods, food contact materials, and ultra-processed foods, highlighting opportunities and challenges in harmonizing regulatory approaches.

One of the important outcomes was a consensus on the value of agile and transparent regulatory pathways. Participants also emphasized the need to prepare joint discussion papers for Codex and to strengthen aligned advocacy strategies. Progress was also made in promoting regional collaboration on data collection for contaminants (e.g., aflatoxins and arsenic), while underscoring the importance of capacity building and broader stakeholder engagement.

Ding Hao from China, Co-Chairperson of CCASIA23, highlighted the Forum’s role in reinforcing the values of the Codex Community. “The Forum reaffirmed our commitment to science-based standards, the protection of consumer health, and the promotion of fair trade, which are principles at the heart of Codex. It also reflected the needs of Asia’s member countries, helping to ensure our voices are clearly heard in global standard setting.”

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GFORSS event page: Asia Codex and Food Regulatory Forum - Bridging Science, Innovation and Policy • 18-20 August 2025 • Bangkok, Thailand - Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS)