Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Abstract

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) mandated to support its member countries to produce sufficient food of good quality to ensure sovereign food security, promote trade in agricultural produce and protect natural resources to ensure sustainability. Food contamination by agrichemicals, additives and natural contamination of toxins are of concern and are addressed jointly by FAO with World Health Organization (WHO) through the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). CAC is supported in its work by several subsidiary bodies that provide scientific advice and guidance. FAO is also concerned with the prevention of zoonotic disease transmission and the development of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) in animal husbandry. To this end, FAO works in collaboration with WHO and World Organization for Animal Health [founded as Office International des Epizooties’ (OIE)] on the One Health concept. The toxic impacts of pesticide use in agriculture is a concern which is addressed through a broad pesticide management program that includes the voluntary mechanism of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management and the legally binding Rotterdam Convention. Standard setting and the provision of technical guidance support countries in implementing these frameworks. FAO also advises on the avoidance of introducing toxins through fertilizer application and highlights the importance of agriculture as a pollutant of water sources as well as being a victim of water contamination.