2/15/2005 - A major intergovernmental meeting on food safety and qualityin the fats and oils food sector is being organised in London by the FoodsStandards Agency.

The meeting of the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils, which will take placeon 21 - 25 February 2005, is expected to be attended by about 100delegates from around the world.

The committee is part of the wider Codex Alimentarius Commission, which isan intergovernmental body aimed at developing international food standardsthat ensure consumer protection and facilitate fair trade in food.

The Food Standards Agency represents the UK at Codex.

The committee will discuss safety and quality aspects of, for example,vegetable oils, fat spreads and the storage and transportation of oils inbulk.

For more information contact Derek Hampson, tel: 020 7276 8140; fax: 0207276 8193; or email: derek.hampson @foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk.

Anyone wishing to attend as an observer should email their contact detailsto Derek Hampson for information on availability by 17 February 2005.

Spaces for observers are limited and the organisers point out that not allrespondents may be able to attend if there is a large request for places.