The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) on microbiological risk assessment of viruses in foods was first convened in Rome, Italy from 18-22 September 2023, and then in Geneva, Switzerland from 12-16 February 2024, in response to the request by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) at its 53rd session in 2022. The Expert Committee reviewed recent scientific developments, data, and evidence associated with foodborne viruses to update the guidance CXG-079-2012.
The joint panel reports has identified hepatitis E virus (HEV) as the top 3 foodborne viral pathogens, along with norovirus and hepatitis A virus. As emphasized by Prof. Xiang-Jin Meng, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA, who served on both panels, “this could potentially stimulate more hepatitis E virus food safety-related research in the future”.
Read the full text of the reports:
FAO meeting Report (September 2023)
WHO meeting report (February 2024)
