Science and pesticides: advances, uncertainties and challenges for food safety

The Poison Control Centre (CAP), through its Toxicovigilance Unit, organised a conference in partnership with the National Codex Committee entitled: Science and pesticides: advances, uncertainties and challenges for food safety on Wednesday 11 February 2026 in the CAP conference room.

Several ministries, such as the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, took part in the conference. Other organisations such as UCAD/FMPO, agri-food companies, the Regional Centre for the Conventions of Basel and Stockholm for French-speaking African countries (CRCBS-AF/CRCSC-SN), the Pasteur Institute and the Pesticide Action Network were also present.

Chaired by Dr Mamadou Ndiaye, veterinarian at the FAO, the opening speech was delivered by Ms SARRE from the Ministry of Trade. After welcoming the participants, Ms SARRE spoke about the relevance of the theme and the context in which the conference was being held. In her view, given the problems posed by pesticides for human health and the environment, the conference was very timely.

Three presentations were given. The first was by Prof. Aminata Touré (CAP) on the CAP, its history and its role or areas of intervention.

Next, Prof. Mamadou Diop, President of the Senegalese National Codex Committee, gave a presentation on pesticides and food safety: the role of Codex. He outlined the history of Codex and its mission to standardise food.

Finally, the speaker, Professor Franck Saint Marcoux from the University of Limoges (France), focused his presentation on pesticides and their presence in different matrices (soil, air, water). The consequences for human health and the environment, particularly the contamination and diseases that could result, were reviewed.

Professor Franck Saint Marcoux also presented a high-tech method for detecting pesticides in the body.

Finally, the issue of awareness was addressed. However, it was recommended that awareness-raising should be accurate and truthful so as not to traumatise the population.

The chair thanked the presenters for their brilliant presentations, Prof. Franck Saint Marcoux for his excellent presentation, the CAP for the initiative, and all the participants for their contributions to the debates and discussions.