Codex Alimentarius food standards are recommendations for voluntary application and are referred to in the World Trade Organization's sanitary and phytosanitary agreement

Background

The Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally adopted food standards and related texts presented in a uniform manner. It is drawn up under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. These food standards and related texts aim at protecting consumers' health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade. Since its foundation in 1963, the Codex system has evolved in an open, transparent and inclusive way. While being recommendations for voluntary application by members, Codex standards serve in many cases as a basis for national legislation. The reference made to Codex food safety standards in the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures means that Codex has far reaching implications for resolving trade disputes. The Codex Alimentarius Commission has 189 Codex Members, made up of 188 Member Countries and 1 Member Organization, which is the European Union. Membership of the Commission is open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO and WHO which are interested in international food standards.