Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology

2. What is the TFFBT

  In recent years, while the distribution of foods derived from biotechnology has expanded globally, the safety assurance of such foods has become an important issue.

  Under such circumstances, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) agreed during its 23rd session -held in Rome, Italy, from 28 June to 3 July, 1999- to establish "the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology (TFFBT)" to develop standards, guidelines or recommendations for foods derived from biotechnology and decided the Government of Japan to chair the Task Force.

  The TFFBT held four sessions in Japan, from 2000 to 2003, and finalized three documents. Upon completion of its mandate, the CAC agreed, during its 26th session in 2003 to adopt all three documents and to dissolve the TFFBT.

  However, since issues related to foods derived from biotechnology to be discussed still remain, the CAC agreed during its 27th session -held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 28 June to 2 July, 2004- to re-establish the TFFBT. Japan will host the TFFBT from 2005 to 2009.

The documents adopted at the 26th session of the CAC

Principles for the Risk Analysis of Foods Derived from Modern Biotechnology(PDF:57KB)
Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Plants(PDF:85KB)
Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Produced Using Recombinant-DNA Microorganisms(PDF:113KB)

The Terms of Reference of the TFFBT (1999--2003)

(adopted at the 23rd session of the CAC)

<Objectives>

To develop standards, guidelines or recommendations, as appropriate, for foods derived from biotechnology or traits introduced into foods by biotechnology, on the basis of scientific evidence, risk analysis and having regard, where appropriate, to other legitimate factors relevant to the health of consumers and the promotion of fair trade practices.

<Time frame>

The Task Force shall complete its work within four years. The Task Force should first submit a preliminary report to the Commission in 2001, a mid-term report, where appropriate, to the Executive Committee in 2002, and a full report in 2003.

<Terms of Reference>

To elaborate standards, guidelines, or other principles, as appropriate, for foods derived from biotechnology;
To coordinate and closely collaborate, as necessary, with appropriate Codex Committees within their mandate as relates to foods derived from biotechnology; and
To take full account of existing work carried out by national authorities, FAO, WHO, other international organizations and other relevant international fora.

The Terms of Reference of the TFFBT (2004--)

(adopted at the 27th session of the CAC)

<Objectives>

To develop standards, guidelines or recommendations, as appropriate, for foods derived from modern biotechnology or traits introduced into foods by modern biotechnology, on the basis of scientific evidence, risk analysis and having regard, where appropriate, to other legitimate factors relevant to the health of consumers and the promotion of fair practices in the food trade.

<Time frame>

The Task Force shall complete its work within four years. The Task Force should submit a full report in 2009.

<Terms of Reference>

To elaborate standards, guidelines, or other principles, as appropriate, for foods derived from modern biotechnology, taking account, in particular, of the Principles for the Risk Analysis of Foods derived from Modern Biotechnology;
To coordinate and closely collaborate, as necessary, with appropriate Codex Committees within their mandate as relates to foods derived from modern biotechnology; and
To take account of existing work carried out by national authorities, FAO, WHO, other international organizations and other relevant international fora.