The Codex Alimentarius Commission - current status

摘要

The Codex Alimentarius is the international body established by the FAO and the WHO to develop international food standards. Its key role in this was recognised when the World Trade Organisation was set up in 1995. The WTO Agreements accept that the standards developed by Codex should be regarded as providing countries with necessary protection. Higher levels of protection can be established but have to be justified on the basis of sound science and the use of appropriate risk assessment techniques. This status has raised the profile of the activities of the Codex. Although this could be seen as a positive step, it has already led to an erosion of the usual practice of reaching agreement by consensus - ballots have recently been taken at meetings of the Commission.