Codex Alimentarius

The Codex Alimentarius is the international organization created by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) to develop food standards, guidelines and other texts under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in food trade. 

IFT’s engagement with CODEX Alimentarius continues to have a strong voice in the global discussion within CODEX on global food standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other consumer health and international food trade issues.

From IFT's Blog

What Is Codex Alimentarius and Why Does It Matter?

Baby Formula Shortage and the Role of Global Food Safety Standards

CODEX Informational Links
  • CODEX Alimentarius General information
  • CODEX Global Standards
  • CODEX Global Codes of Practice
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  • CODEX Global Guidelines
  • CODEX On-line Databases
  • CODEX List of Specifications for Food Additives
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    Institutions Involved in Food Safety WHO-FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

    Looking to understand global food laws and regulations? Get started with the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the United Nations’ mandated institution under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), who develops harmonized food standards and practices. IFT members can access a chapter from Encyclopedia of Food Safety written by IFT’s Codex Coordinator, Steve Havlik, for highlights on the organization, structure, and processes of the CAC.
     
    Access & Download  (member login required)

     

    Opportunities to Engage with IFT Activities on CODEX Work

    IFT has revised its guidelines in 2023 for IFT member engagement on Codex Teams (PDF), updating qualifications needed for Codex Team Members and expanding roles to include an Associate CODEX Team Member role for those interested, but with minimal experience or educational background. If you have interest in participating with IFT Codex activities in 2024, please contact the IFT Codex Coordinator, Steve Havlik.

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    CODEX Activities Updates

    Summer 2023 CODEX Activities Status Update 
    Contains substantial amount of Codex work occurred in the Spring/Summer of 2023. Summaries and reports on CODEX Committee activities on Food Additives (CCFA), Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS), Contaminants in Food (CCCF) and Pesticide Residues (CCPR) and IFT comments submitted on these Codex Committees are included.

    Upcoming CODEX Activities of Interest

    Codex Executive Committee (CCEXEC 85)
    November 20-24, 2023 

    • Blueprint on the Future of Codex – Model for Future Codex Work and recommendations to CAC46
    • Codex Strategic Plan 2026-2031
    • Review of International Non-Governmental 

    Organizations with Observer Status (i.e., IFT) Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC 46)
    November 27 – December 2, 2023; FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy

    • Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
    • Work of Codex Committees (adoption, new work, revocation, discontinuation, and amendments to Codex texts proposed by the Committee).
    • Application of the Statements of Principle concerning the role of science in the Codex decision-making process and the extent to which other factors are taken into account.
    • New Food Sources and Production Systems

    Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH)
    March 11-15, 2024; Nairobi, Kenya

    Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF)
    April 15 – 19, 2024; Location TBD

    • Review of work on Cadmium in foods discussion paper

    Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA)
    April 22- 26, 2024; Location TBD

    • Update on JECFA use of FoodEx Database pilot evaluation
    • New additive reviews

    Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR)
    June 3 – 8, 2024; China

    • Human Microbiome impacts of Pesticide Residues
    • Updates to Pesticide Max. Residue Limits

    Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection & Certification Systems (CCFICS)
    September 16-20, 2024; Cairns, Australia

    • Food Traceability
    • Food Fraud

    Codex Committee on Nutrition & Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU)
    October 2 -6, 2024; Dresden, Germany

    Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL)
    October 28 – November 1, 2024; TBD

    • Food Allergens
    • • Sustainability Labeling
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