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CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION

ABOUT CODEX

The Codex Alimentarius Commission(CAC)is an international food standards body established jointly by the Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO)in May 1963 with the objective of protecting consumer’s health and ensuring fair practices in food trade.

The Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)of the World Trade Organization (WTO) recognizes Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations as reference standards for international trade and trade dispute settlement

Currently the Codex Alimentarius Commission has 189 Codex Members made up of 188 Member Countries and 1 Member Organization (The European Union). India became the member of Codex Alimentarius in 1964.

CODEX COMMITTEES

The food standards development work of the Commission is assisted by its Executive Committee and subsidiary bodies –General subject/Commodity Committees, Coordinating Committees and Task Forces.

CODEX STANDARDS/TEXTS

“Voluntary in nature, Codex standards can be general or specific and are recognized by WTO Agreements as reference standards”

General Standards, Guidelines and Codes of Practice

These core Codex texts, typically deal with hygienic practice, labelling, contaminants, additives, inspection & certification, nutrition and residues of veterinary drugs and pesticides and apply horizontally to products and product categories.

Commodity standards

Codex commodity standards refer to a specific product although increasingly Codex now develops standards for food groups.

Regional standards

Standards developed by the respective Regional Coordinating Committees, applicable to the respective regions.

Download, Read & Share: Food Security and Facilitating Food Trade during COVID-19, Working Procedure Manual, Guideline on Nutrition Labelling, Cumin Standard etc.

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