In November 2018, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a full evaluation of known ciguatoxins (toxicological assessment and exposure assessment) including geographic distribution and rate of illness, congeners and methods of detection. The Expert Meeting concluded that although there were many gaps in the available information about ciguatera poisoning, there were some needs that required urgent attention regarding both risk management and research. A copy of the FAO/WHO Expert Meeting report is available here.
The Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) subsequently developed a Code of Practice for the Prevention or Reduction of Ciguatera Poisoning (CXC 83-2024). This document provides guidance on recommended practices to prevent or reduce ciguatera poisoning for different types of stakeholders including competent authorities, fish sector operators (fishers, seafood processors, and seafood retail workers), health care professionals, and consumers.
