Food and Environmental Protection

Food and Environmental Protection The Food and Environmental Protection Section of the Joint Programme and its associated Agrochemicals Unit of the FAO/IAEA FAO/IAEA Agricultural and Biotechnology Laboratory in Seibersdorf provide assistance and support to countries in their efforts to ensure the safety and quality of food and agricultural commodities while at the same time facilitating international trade. Our activities primarily focus on strengthening Member State capacities for the application of international standards on irradiation as well as on the use of nuclear and related analytical technologies and capacity building in the management of food and environmental hazards. These efforts are based on a coordinated and comprehensive “farm to fork” approach to food production systems that ensure the application of good agricultural practices throughout the food chain.

Present activities focus on:

These activities are undertaken in four main areas, namely, coordination and support in research, providing technical and advisory services, providing laboratory support and training and collecting, analyzing and disseminating information. Our activities are implemented through Coordinated Research Projects, Technical Cooperation Projects, Meetings and Training Courses, eLearning courses, and Publications.

Highlights


A Laboratory Success Story – Colombian Pesticide Residues Analysis Laboratory Colombian Pesticide Residues Analysis Laboratory tackles agrochemical issues. The Pesticide Residues Analysis Laboratory (LARP) of the Chemistry Department at Universidad Nacional de Colombia obtains international recognition and addresses agrochemical misuse in Colombia. Full Story »

Sampling Procedures to Detect Mycotoxins in Agricultural Commodities Sampling Procedures to Detect Mycotoxins in Agricultural Commodities. Adherence to regulatory limits for mycotoxins in agricultural commodities is important to safeguard consumers and to permit trade in affected commodities across international borders. Reliable estimates of mycotoxin concentrations are required to implement regulatory decisions on the suitability of lots of produce for consumption or trade. Read More »

Collaboration with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Collaboration with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has asked the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture of the International Atomic Energy Agency to cooperate in helping to expand EFSA’s database of scientific experts. The Food and Environmental Protection subprogramme has several direct collaborations with EFSA, for example through the provision of expert advice to the BIOHAZ and CEF panels. Read More »

Maize cod Fumonisins: From Technical Cooperation to International Standards. Fumonisins, along with aflatoxins, are the major mycotoxins of international health concern. They are unique among the mycotoxins in being almost exclusively contaminants of maize, particularly when grown in warmer regions. Maize is a major human dietary staple that has been in the diet of Nigeria and the African region for centuries. Full Story »