Recently, the National Office of the Codex Alimentarius of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) of Panama participated in a twinning event with Colombia. During this activity, scientific knowledge was exchanged and the food regulatory system was strengthened, aligning Panamanian practices with the international standards of the Codex Alimentarius.

Joseph Gallardo, food engineer at MICI, highlighted the importance of the Codex Alimentarius in Panama to guarantee the safety and quality of food globally. He pointed out that strengthening countries in this area and adopting the concept of “One Health” – which integrates human, animal and environmental health – is key to building a robust and safe food system.

Thanks to the support of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation for Agriculture (IICA), this twinning project between El Salvador, Colombia and Panama was successfully completed, establishing a solid foundation to protect citizens and harmonize international practices. It is essential to recognize the commitment and collaboration of all those involved in this effort.

Continuous training in the field of the Codex Alimentarius is essential to maintain international standards and adapt to new regulations. This proactive approach not only improves the quality of food products, but also reinforces Panama’s position on the global stage.

It should be noted that the twinning refers to a formal and long-term collaboration between entities, regions or countries with the aim of sharing experiences, knowledge and resources to achieve common goals.