The major objective of the Programme is to inform governments, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, other relevant institutions and the public on levels and trends of contaminants in food their contribution to the total human exposure and significance with regard to public health. This is to be done globally, regionally and locally, as well as in geographical areas of special concern, as a basis - where appropriate - for remedial actions, for food control and for resource management. Components supporting the Programme involve technical cooperation, analytical quality assurance programmes and information exchange.