Codex Alimentarius is an international food standards body established by the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in food trade. It has developed over 200 standards covering issues like food safety, labeling, and additives. Codex standards are voluntary but used by many countries and important for facilitating international food trade while also guiding governments and businesses on food safety best practices. Key challenges include limited resources and participation by some countries as well as keeping up with a rapidly evolving global food system.

1. NITIN SAMUEL KUJUR
22412MDT010
M.TECH.(DT) 1ST YEAR

2. WHAT IS CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized food standards, guidelines, and codes
of practice established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Created in 1963 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO).
The purpose of Codex is to protect the health of consumers, ensure fair practices in the food trade, and
promote coordination of food standards across the world.

3. OBJECTIVES OF CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
 Protect the health of consumers by ensuring that food is safe and wholesome. Facilitate fair
practices in food trade by establishing international food standards that promote consistency and
transparency.
 Promote the coordination of food standards among countries to ensure consistency and avoid
trade barriers.
 Promote consumer protection by ensuring that food is properly labeled and that consumers have
access to accurate and relevant information about the food they buy.
 Promote the sustainable use of resources in the food sector, including the use of appropriate
technologies and practices to reduce waste and conserve resources.

4. CODEX COMMITTEES
 There are currently 27 Codex Committees and one ad-hoc IntergovernmentalTask Force, each
responsible for developing and reviewing standards and guidelines related to a specific area of food
safety and quality.
 These committees and task forces play an important role in the development of international food
standards and guidelines, which help to ensure the safety and quality of the food we eat.

5. BRIEF OVERVIEW ON SOME CODEX COMMITTEES
1. Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA): Develops guidelines and standards for food
additives, including provisions for the use of food additives and provisions for food additives
that have not been assigned an acceptable daily intake or acceptable levels of use.
2. Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH): Develops guidelines and codes of practice
related to food hygiene, including the control of microbial, chemical and physical hazards in
food, as well as principles and guidelines for the establishment and application of food hygiene
standards.
3. Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL): Develops guidelines and standards related
to food labeling, including the labeling of food additives, nutrition information, allergen
labeling, and claims made on food labels
4. Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification
Systems (CCFICS): Develops guidelines and standards for food import and export inspection
and certification systems to facilitate the international trade of safe food.
5. Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF): Develops guidelines
and standards for contaminants in food, including maximum levels of contaminants such as
heavy metals, mycotoxins, and pesticides in food.

6. CODEX STANDARDS
CHARACTERISTICS OF CODEX STANDARDS:
1. Science-based: Codex Standards are developed based on scientific risk assessments, with the aim
of protecting public health while also facilitating international trade
2. Voluntary: Codex Standards are voluntary and are not legally binding, but they are widely used as a
reference by many countries when developing their national food safety and quality standards.
3. Comprehensive: Codex Standards cover a wide range of food safety and quality issues, including
food labeling, food additives, contaminants, pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, and
hygiene.
4. Harmonized: Codex Standards aim to harmonize food safety and quality standards across the
globe, reducing trade barriers and facilitating the international trade of safe food.
5. Dynamic: Codex Standards are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect new scientific information
and emerging food safety issues.

7. CODEX GUIDELINES AND CODES OF
PRACTICE:
By providing guidance on best practices for ensuring the safety and quality of food, Codex guidelines and
codes of practice help to promote public health, facilitate international trade, and ensure the integrity of
the global food supply.
1. Codex Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling:These guidelines provide guidance on the nutrition
information that should be provided on food labels, including the format and content of nutrition
labels
2. Codex Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits andVegetables:This code provides guidance on the
hygienic production, harvesting, and handling of fresh fruits and vegetables, with the aim of reducing
the risk of contamination by pathogens.
3. Codex Guidelines on Food Allergen Management for Food Business Operators:These guidelines
provide guidance to food businesses on best practices for managing the risk of allergenic
contamination in food
4. Codex Guidelines on the Application of General Principles of Food Hygiene to the Control of Foodborne
Parasites:These guidelines provide guidance on how to control the risk of foodborne parasites,
including the identification of hazards, the development of control measures, and the implementation
of monitoring and verification programs.

8. IMPOTANCE OF CODEX STANDARDS
1. Protecting public health: Codex Standards are developed based on scientific risk assessments,
with the aim of protecting public health by ensuring that food is safe to eat and free from harmful
contaminants.
2. Facilitating international trade: By harmonizing food safety and quality standards across the
globe, Codex Standards help to reduce trade barriers and facilitate the international trade of safe
food.
3. Promoting fair trade practices: Codex Standards help to promote fair trade practices by ensuring
that all countries have access to the same information and standards when it comes to food safety
and quality.
4. Providing guidance to governments and food businesses: Codex Standards, guidelines, and codes
of practice provide guidance to governments and food businesses on best practices for ensuring
the safety and quality of food, helping to prevent foodborne illness and ensuring the integrity of
the food supply.

9. BENEFITS OF CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
1. Protection of public health: Codex standards, guidelines, and codes of practice are developed
based on scientific risk assessments with the aim of ensuring that food is safe to eat and free
from harmful contaminants, thus protecting public health.
2. Facilitation of international trade: Codex Standards harmonize food safety and quality standards
worldwide, facilitating the international trade of safe food and reducing trade barriers.
3. Promotion of fair trade practices:Codex Standards promote fair trade practices by ensuring that
all countries have access to the same information and standards when it comes to food safety
and quality, thus promoting equal opportunities for all.
4. Guidance to governments and food businesses: Codex Standards, guidelines, and codes of
practice provide guidance to governments and food businesses on best practices for ensuring the
safety and quality of food, helping to prevent foodborne illness and ensuring the integrity of the
food supply.

10. ACHIEVEMENTS OF CODEX ALIMENTARUIS
1.Development of over 200 food safety and quality standards: The Codex Alimentarius
Commission has developed over 200 standards related to food safety and quality, covering
everything from food additives to pesticide residues to microbiological contamination.
2.Facilitation of international trade: The harmonization of food safety and quality standards
across the globe has facilitated international trade and reduced trade barriers, benefiting both
producers and consumers.
3.Improved access to safe and nutritious food: The Commission has played an important role in
developing standards and guidelines that promote safe and nutritious food, particularly in
developing countries.
4.Contribution to international cooperation: The Codex Alimentarius Commission has served as a
platform for international cooperation and collaboration among governments, food businesses,
and other stakeholders in the pursuit of common goals related to food safety and quality.

11. CHALLENGES OF CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
1.Limited participation by developing countries: The Commission's work is often dominated
by developed countries, which can limit the participation and influence of developing
countries in the decision-making process.
2.Limited resources: The Commission relies on voluntary contributions from member
countries, which can limit its ability to undertake new initiatives or respond to emerging food
safety issues.
3.Rapidly changing food production and distribution systems: The global food system is
constantly evolving, with new technologies and production methods emerging rapidly. The
Commission must stay abreast of these changes and respond quickly to new food safety
challenges.
4.Divergent national and regional regulations: Differences in national and regional
regulations can create challenges for harmonizing food safety and quality standards,
leading to trade barriers and other challenges.

12. CODEX AND FOOD SAFETY:
Codex standards are a basis for national food safety regulations.
Provides guidance on good practices for food safety.
Conducts risk assessments and provides scientific advice on food safety
issues

13. CODEX AND NUTRITION
Provides guidance on nutrient levels in food.
Develops standards for food fortification.
Addresses nutrition labeling and claim.

14. CODEX AND FOODTRADE
Facilitates international trade of safe and quality food
Develops standards and guidelines to prevent non-tariff trade barriers
Provides a common language for food standards

15. CODEX AND EMERGING ISSUES
Codex responds to emerging issues such as food fraud, antimicrobial
resistance, and biotechnology.
Provides guidance on good practices for emerging issues.
Conducts risk assessments and provides scientific advice on emerging
issues.

16. CODEX AND SUSTAINABILITY
Develops standards and guidelines to promote sustainable food production
and consumption.
Addresses environmental and social aspects.
Promotes the responsible use of resources in food production and
processing.

17. CODEX AND CONSUMER PARTICIPATION
Encourages consumer participation in Codex activities.
Provides opportunities for consumer input through public consultations and
participation in Codex committees.
Promotes transparency and openness in Codex decision-making processes.

18. CODEX AND INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION:
Encourages industry participation in Codex activities.
Provides opportunities for industry input through public consultations and
participation in Codex committees.
Promotes the adoption of Codex standards by industry to facilitate
international trade.

19. CONCLUSION:
 CODEX Alimentarius is a vital international food standards-setting
body.
 It ensures consumer protection and promotes fair practices in
international trade.
 Its standards and guidelines have contributed to the reduction of
foodborne illnesses and deaths and facilitated the international
trade of safe and quality food.

20. REFERENCES
• Codex Alimentarius Commission. (2021). Codex Alimentarius - About us. Retrieved from
https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/about-us/en/Food and AgricultureOrganization.
(2021).
• Codex Alimentarius - FrequentlyAsked Questions (FAQs). Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/fao-
who-codexalimentarius/frequently-asked-questions/faqs-detail/en/c/1304172/World Health
Organization. (2021).
• Codex Alimentarius. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/food-
standardization/codex/en/Codex Alimentarius Commission. (2021).
• Codex Alimentarius - Online Platform. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/fao-who-
codexalimentarius/codex-online/en/Food and AgricultureOrganization. (2021).
• Codex Alimentarius - How does it work? Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/fao-who-
codexalimentarius/how-it-works/en/