Mr Juan Schiaretti, Minister of Production of the Province of Cordoba, opened the
Consultation. He acknowledged the need for sound scientific evidence to substantiate
health benefits associated with probiotic foods. Mr Victor Faraudo, Secretary of
Agriculture of the Province of Cordoba; Mr Carlos Debandi, President of the Cordoba
Science Agency, and Mr Eduardo Echaniz, Coordinator of the National Codex
Committee also gave welcome addresses. Dr Jorgen Schlundt and Dr Maya Pineiro spoke
on behalf of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations. In their statements, the importance of probiotics to the health of the
human population was indicated, with particular reference to their potential in developing
countries.