Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have established a consortium to collaboratively collect and generate data on veterinary drug residues used in food-producing animals, which will serve as a baseline for the establishment of maximum residue limits (MRLs) aligned with Codex Alimentarius, thereby advancing food safety.

The consortium was established following training by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for stakeholders in the region. Through the FAO training, participants gained insight into the step-by-step process of evaluating MRLs, enhancing their skills as technical experts for their respective countries. Beyond the practical skills and knowledge, one of the key outcomes of the training was the formation of a “network of trust” between countries.

The idea of a Latin American–Caribbean consortium was formally proposed during the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)-Codex Colloquium for the Americas, held in Ecuador in August 2024, where it received strong support from participating countries.

Brazil then took the lead in initiating the consortium’s development. Brazilian experts compiled a list of veterinary drugs widely used in the Latin American–Caribbean region but without Codex MRLs, organized a spreadsheet to assess countries’ capacity to conduct the studies required for risk assessment by the Joint FAO/World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), and prepared detailed worksheets identifying the data needed for submissions. JECFA risk assessments provide the scientific support for Codex MRLs.

A 12-hour training course on JECFA requirements was conducted for Brazilian participants in October 2024, and plans were made to offer the course to other countries in the region. Each participating country was invited to complete a form providing details on their interest in collaborating and any data they might be able to contribute.

Plans for a second phase are underway, in which a group of experts is being convened to pre-assess the information received, identify critical gaps, and guide a literature review for the establishment of MRLs. Participating countries are assigning experts to identify which chemicals should be included for the compilation of a complete data package.

After the pre-assessment is completed, the consortium will assess the capacities of participating countries and the available funding, before finally completing the data package.

The organizers of the consortium strive to make collaboration as accessible as possible, avoiding formalities and bureaucratic barriers that could hinder progress, and inviting countries to participate as much as they are able.

An important resource in helping the international community, including the consortium, understand the processes used by JECFA to conduct veterinary drug residue risk assessments and recommend MRLs, is the JECFA Toolbox offered by FAO.