New Memorandum of Understanding aims to boost commitment to achieving food security and resilient agrifood systems
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Mars, Incorporated are setting out a path to expand their existing cooperation on strengthening food safety, supporting One Health and enhancing the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative.
Maximo Torero, FAO’s Chief-Economist, and Dr Abigail Stevenson, Chief Science Officer for Mars signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote better understanding and application of Codex Alimentarius international food safety standards. In particular, the parties have committed to work on enhancing mycotoxin management in maize value chains through modelling approaches and strengthening information-sharing on emerging food safety threats.
Through the agreement, FAO and Mars will exchange knowledge and information to support science-based decision-making on food safety.
The MoU lays out plans for FAO and Mars to cooperate in developing guidance for increased uptake of the Codex standards and codes of practices by the private sector, for instance, regarding Food Allergen Management by food operators, and identification of best practices for mycotoxin control and mitigation in maize value chains.
FAO and Mars will also continue to collaborate on the analysis and discussion of emerging food safety issues, new methods and technologies and new trends in research and development that might have impacts on food safety.
The MoU has been developed within the context of the FAO Strategy for Private Sector Engagement (2021-2025), according to which private-sector partnerships can offer innovative tools, resources, knowledge and technologies that are critical for reinforcing our impact on the ground.
The joint activities with Mars will boost FAO’s capacity for early warning, risk reduction and management of health risks and enhance scientific and technological capacity to develop innovative food safety models and enhance approaches for managing food safety risks across value chains.