Chairman of the conference Dr Rolf Grossklaus
Director-General for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs
Drs Chizuru Nishida and Lisa Rogers from World Health Organisation (WHO)
Dr Benhard Kuhnle from the Federal Republic of Germany
Ms Ruth Charrondièrre from the Food and Agricultural Organisation
Members of the secretariat
MECs of health present here
Distinguished delegates, observers and advisors
Ladies and gentleman

On behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of South Africa we feel truly honoured to host this very important gathering. Being given the privilege to host such gatherings confirms the view that our country is indeed a preferred choice by many when it comes to hosting important gatherings. As most would recall, just this past week we hosted the important 7th Conference of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Johannesburg which I had the privilege and honour to officially open.

Chairperson of the conference allow me therefore to express our sincere gratitude as a country to co-host this 30th session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU). I believe there are 300 delegates, representing 70 member countries and 27 international organisations. This makes this gathering a truly a global forum, and allow me on behalf of the people of South Africa and their government to extend a warm word of welcome.

We are also encouraged to know that by co-hosting this meeting in our country more African countries are as a result participating in this meeting. I hope that increased participation of Africa and other developing countries will be of great benefit to the region. Nutrition and food are still some of the greatest challenges facing our region and indeed the developing world.

Since the democracy in our country, 14 years ago, many initiatives have been put in place to ensure equitable, accessible and affordable health services for all South Africans. We are also proud to be part of the international community, and to participate in the deliberations and decision making of this Codex Committee. Our participation in the Codex meetings has assisted us to develop regulations and policies that are scientific and evidence based.

We acknowledge the importance of the work of this committee in developing standards and guidelines for foods for special dietary uses and to ensure that these standards protect the health of consumers, while ensuring fair practices of food trade.

We also recognise the challenges that face this committee faces, including:
* The development of guidelines and standards that are applicable and relevant to both developed and developing countries,
* Managing the complexities of technological developments. The committee must ensure that all technologies used in the standards and guidelines are science based and facilitate safe good food for everyone. Recently we have had an example of the use of an unsafe protein source to boost the protein content of infant foods with serious, in fact fatal consequences for some infants. It is a challenge for this committee to protect the consumer from this kind of incident in the future.

* Ensuring consumer protection, not only in terms of the ingredients used in products, but also in terms of the claims that are made about products hitting our global markets. In this session I note that the scientific basis for health claims and application of risk analysis are on the agenda for deliberation. As a country we welcome this initiative as it will strengthen the food labelling regulations that we are currently working on.

I am informed that there are other important issues under consideration by the committee. I have no doubt in my mind that we will deal with all those issues with the required attentiveness guided by what we know to be good for the user or consumer.

The proposal for new work to develop a standard for processed cereal-based foods for malnourished infants and young children is encouraged. Food insecurity, high rates of malnutrition coupled with high food prices is the biggest threat to nutrition in the region. Due to these challenges we would truly appreciate the development of such standards to control the emergence of products that would have adverse effect to children especially those that are already immune-compromised.

South Africa has effectively and innovatively implemented the Food Fortification programme. Through government regulations, all millers are now required to add specified amounts of vitamins and minerals to all maize meal and wheat flour that is produced in this country.

Bread and maize meal are the most frequently consumed foodstuffs in South Africa and these products are therefore the best vehicle to deliver the required micronutrients to many South African who for one or other reason cannot consume an adequate diet.

There are other nutrition programmes like vitamin A supplementation for children which are having a significant impact in improving the nutritional status of our population.

Participation in sessions of the CCNFSDU enabled South Africa to revise existing legislation to be in line with Codex food standards.

I hope that you will enjoy your time in South Africa and that during the course of your stay, experience the diverse and warm hospitality of our country. I trust that this experience will definitely encourage you to come back for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, and experience our country in its entirety.

I wish the committee well with your deliberations over the next few days and declare the 30th session of this Codex Committee officially open.

Thank you very much.