Codex Alimentarius 1151939 225205427 2008-07-12T13:21:31Z DivaNtrainin 3887259 /* Controversy */ {{portal|Food}}{{Refimprove|date=May 2008}} The '''Codex Alimentarius''' (Latin for "food code" or "food book") is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations relating to [[food]]s, food production and [[food safety]] under the aegis of consumer protection. These texts are developed and maintained by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a body that was established in 1963 by the [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] of the [[United Nations]] (FAO) and the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO). The Commission's main aims are stated as being to protect the health of [[consumer]]s and ensure fair practices in the international food trade. The Codex Alimentarius is recognized by the [[World Trade Organization]] as an international [[reference point]] for the resolution of [[dispute]]s concerning [[food safety]] and [[consumer protection]]. ==Scope== The Codex Alimentarius officially covers all foods, whether processed, semi-processed or [[raw food|raw]], but far more attention has been given to foods that are marketed directly to consumers. In addition to standards for specific foods, the Codex Alimentarius contains general standards covering matters such as [[Food labelling regulations|food label]]ing, food [[hygiene]], [[food additives]] and [[pesticide]] residues, and procedures for assessing the safety of foods derived from modern [[biotechnology]]. It also contains guidelines for the management of official (i.e., governmental) [[import]] and [[export]] inspection and certification systems for foods. The Codex Alimentarius is published in [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]]. Not all texts are available in all languages. ===General texts=== * Food labelling (general standard, guidelines on [[nutrition]] labelling, guidelines on labelling claims) * [[Food additive]]s (general standard including authorized uses, specifications for food grade chemicals) * [[Contaminant]]s in foods (general standard, tolerances for specific contaminants including [[radionuclide]]s, [[aflatoxin]]s and other [[mycotoxin]]s) * [[Pesticide]] and veterinary chemical residues in foods (maximum residue limits) * [[Risk assessment]] procedures for determining the safety of foods derived from biotechnology ([[DNA]]-modified plants, DNA-modified [[micro-organism]]s, [[allergens]]) * Food [[hygiene]] (general principles, codes of hygienic practice in specific industries or food handling establishments, guidelines for the use of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point or “[[HACCP]]” system) * Methods of analysis and sampling ===Specific standards=== * [[Meat]] products (fresh, frozen, processed meats and [[poultry]]) * [[Fish]] and [[fishery]] products (marine, fresh water and [[aquaculture]]) * [[Milk]] and milk products * Foods for special [[Diet (nutrition)|diet]]ary uses (including [[infant formula]]e and [[baby food]]s) * Fresh and processed [[vegetable]]s, [[fruit]]s, and [[fruit juice]]s * [[Cereal]]s and derived products, dried [[legume]]s * Fats, oils and derived products such as [[margarine]] * Miscellaneous food products ([[chocolate]], [[sugar]], [[honey]], [[mineral water]]) ==Controversy== {{POV-section|date=May 2008}} The controvery over the Codex Ailmentarius is a perception that it is a mandatory [[standard]] for food, vitamin, and drug safety. This is a voluntary reference standard for food. There is no obligation on countries to adopt Codex standards as a member of either Codex or any other international trade organization. The largest area of concern is how vitamins and minerals are treated in the Codex Ailmentarius. Some countries catagorize vitamins and minerals as food; other countries have created seperate non-drug catagories for vitamins and minerals. It is reported in 1996 the German delegation put forward a proposal that no herb, vitamin or mineral should be sold for preventive or therapeutic reasons, and that supplements should be reclassified as drugs. The proposal was agreed, but protests halted its implementation.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2002/sep/14/medicineandhealth.lifeandhealth 'Health supplements: R.I.P.', The Guardian newspaper, UK.] Published [[September 14]], [[2002]]. Accessed [[March 27]], [[2008]].</ref> The 28th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission was subsequently held [[July 4]] - [[July 9]], [[2005]]. <ref>[ftp://ftp.fao.org/codex/alinorm05/al28_41e.pdf Codex Alimentarius Commission 28th Session, FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy, 4-9 July, 2005. Official report.]</ref> Among the many issues discussed were the "Guidelines for [[Vitamin]] and Mineral [[Dietary supplement|Food Supplements]]"<ref>[http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/10206/cxg_055e.pdf Codex Guidelines for Vitamin and Mineral Food Supplements]</ref>, which were adopted during the meeting as a voluntary reference standard. This text has been the subject of considerable controversy, in part because many member countries may choose to regulate dietary supplements as therapeutic goods or [[pharmaceutical]]s or by some other catagory. The text does not seek to ban supplements, but to subject them to basic labeling and packaging requirements and to ensure that safety and efficacy are considered when determining the ingredient source. The Guidelines have attracted concern from both consumers and industry due to a perception that there may be restrictions on [[vitamin]]s and [[mineral]]s as [[dietary supplement]]s. The [[health freedom movement]] has pointed to greater concerns related to restrictions on dietary supplement ingredients in Europe <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4670971.stm 'Vitamin controls backed by Europe'. BBC News. Published 12 July 2005. Accessed 27 December 2007]</ref> via the European Union's Food Supplements Directive <ref>[http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2002/l_183/l_18320020712en00510057.pdf European Union Food Supplements Directive]</ref> (which utilizes approved lists of ingredients and ingredient forms) and potentially restrictive dosage limits to be based on a Codex model via the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) Nutrient Risk Assessment Project. <ref>[http://www.who.int/ipcs/highlights/nutrientraproject/en/ FAO/WHO Nutrient Risk Assessment Project]</ref> == See also == * [[Codex Alimentarius Austriacus]] * [[Dietary supplement]] * [[Food Chemicals Codex]] * [[Food safety]] * [[Food supplement]] * [[Health freedom movement]] * [[Megavitamin therapy]] * [[Specification (technical standard)]] ==External links== * [http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/index_en.jsp Codex Alimentarius Commission - official website] * [http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/008/y7867e/y7867e00.htm 'Understanding the Codex Alimentarius'] Published in 2005 by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed 4 May 2007. * [http://ssrn.com/abstract=903408 "Authority and Legitimacy in Global Governance: Deliberation, Institutional Differentiation, and the Codex Alimentarius"] Michael Livermore, 81 NYU Law Review 766 (2006) * [http://www.npicenter.com/anm/templates/newsATemp.aspx?articleid=11243&zoneid=68 Codex - Bridging the Great Divide] (December 9, 2004) ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Food safety]] [[Category:Food science]] [[Category:International law]] [[Category:Pharmaceuticals policy]] [[de:Codex Alimentarius]] [[es:Codex Alimentarius]] [[fr:Codex alimentarius]] [[gl:Codex alimentarius]] [[it:Codex Alimentarius]] [[nl:Codex Alimentarius]] [[ja:国際食品規格委員会]] [[pl:Codex Alimentarius]] [[uk:Кодекс Аліментаріус]]