b'to the proposed values for calcium. That suggestion was provisionally accepted. At nextyearsCCNFSDUmeeting,however, NHF will have to reiterate the science sup-porting its position on magnesium levels.Discontinued Work on TFAs & Biofortification For the last several years, the CCNFSDU had been crafting a definition for Biofor-tification. Once adopted, that definition would then be used uniformly around the World to apply to those foods conven-tionally fortified with higher levels of nutrients and everyone would be on the same page whenever the term bioforti-fied was used. Indeed, the NHF was an early supporter at Codex of this definition.However, the pro-GMO forces hijacked the draft definition so they could then dis-honestly hide their genetically engineered foodswithinthisdefinitionanduseits appealing, natural-sounding name to sellA sample screenshot off my computer duringtheir GMO foods to unsuspecting consum- one part of the AMR discussioners on a worldwide scale. If Codex were to allow any method of production and any source to be part of the Biofortifica-tion definition, as had been proposed, then that definition would promote marketing deception of the worst sort. So, NHF nat- Foodborne Antimicrobial text, such as principles and definitions, that urally raised the alarm at Codex over thisResistance allowed for routine (prophylactic) use of crit-and consistently opposed the adoption ofBy the third day of the meeting (Sep- ically important antimicrobials, which posed a this misleading and deceptive definition. tember 26, 2020), the number of partici- risk to human health. Therefore, it would not Fortunately,atitslastmeeting(2019),pants had dwindled to 542, yielding theirbe prudent to forward the CoP to the next step the Codex Nutrition Committee discontin- right to weigh in on one of the most im- without having further debated such issues at ued its work on the definition, an act thatportant discussions. Because of its impor- TFAMR08 [Task Force on Anti-Microbial Re-needed to be ratified by the parent-bodytance, this agenda item was a lengthy one.sistance, Meeting 8].CommissionatitsvirtualmeetingthisDiscussion on the draft Code of PracticeRussia reaffirmed its view that the use year. And so, it was. Therefore, the attempt(CoP) for foodborne Antimicrobial Resis- ofmedicallyimportantantimicrobials to create a misleading definition for Biofor- tance (AMR) ran from 12 noon until 3:00should be restricted to treatment only.tificationthatwouldincludegeneticallyp.m., that is, for the full three hours allocat- The EU, Norway, NHF, and ENCA sup-engineered foods has been officially bur- ed for the meeting that day. Mostly, the de- ported this view, while the United States ied and this CAC43 meeting constituted, inbate centered upon how much of the draftand many other delegations that routine-large part, its funeral. language worked out among the delegateslyuseantibioticsasgrowthpromoters Similarly, CAC43 discontinued its workat prior meetings would still be left openinanimalhusbandryopposedRussias on the conditions under which one couldfor discussion at future meetings. Russiasensible and pro-health position. At one makeaclaimforafoodproductbeingprimarilyand the European Union (EU),point, NHF reminded Russia to formal-free of Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs). And inNorway, and the NHF secondarilyop- ly ask the Codex Secretariat that its im-view of the importance of addressing TFAsposed the adoption of the AMR Code ofportant remarks be included in the Final nutritionally,theCommissionnotedthatPractice at Step 5. Russia noted that AMRReport. Russia then did just that, or else other committees such as the Codex Com- had been a global challenge for many years andits position on the issue would have van-mittee on Food Labelling and the Codexthe emergency to resolve this issue continuedishedasifnevermadeatthemeeting. Committee on Fats and Oils could consid- to date. Although acknowledging that a lot ofThe debate over the wording of this Code er risk-management options instead to ad- progress had been made during the revision ofof Practice will continue in the Task Force dress the dangers of TFAs in food. the CoP, there were still key provisions in themeetings to come.H ealtHF reedomN ews /w iNter2020 7'