Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction | – The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an international food standards body established in 1963 by the FAO and WHO. – Its primary purpose is to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in food trade through international food standards, guidelines, and codes. |
| Objectives | – Protecting Consumer Health: Establishing science-based standards to ensure food safety. – Ensuring Fair Practices in Trade: Harmonizing food standards globally to reduce trade barriers. – Coordination: Centralizing collaboration on food standards. |
| Members (as of Dec 2024) | – 189 Members (188 countries + 1 organization, the European Union). |
| Reports/Indices | – Annual Reports: Summarize yearly activities and adopted standards. – Meeting Reports: Document discussions, decisions, and plans. – Strategic Plans: e.g., Codex Strategic Plan 2020–2025. – Codex Magazine: Covers achievements and future directions. – Case Studies: Highlight adoption and impact of Codex standards. – Guidelines & Codes: Detailed instructions and recommendations. – Technical Papers: Provide insights into food safety and quality issues. – Compendiums: Collections of standards on specific topics. |
| Instruments | – Codex Standards: Define specifications for food safety and quality. – Guidelines: Recommendations for interpreting and implementing standards. – Codes of Practice: Best practices for maintaining safety and quality throughout the food chain. |
| Structure | – Commission: Main decision-making body. – Executive Committee: Provides strategic direction. – Secretariat: Facilitates operations, hosted by FAO and WHO. |
| Subsidiary Organs | – Codex Committees: Focus on specific areas (e.g., food hygiene, labeling). – Task Forces: Temporary bodies for emerging concerns. – Regional Coordinating Committees: Address region-specific food safety and trade issues. |
| Committees | – Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH): Develops food hygiene provisions. – Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA): Standards for food additives. – Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF): Maximum levels for contaminants. – Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL): Develops consumer labeling standards. |
| Initiatives | – Codex Trust Fund: Supports capacity-building in developing countries. – World Food Safety Day: Promotes food safety awareness. – Capacity Building Programs: Offers training to implement Codex standards. – Engagement with Emerging Issues: Tackles concerns like antimicrobial resistance and biotechnology. – Strategic Plans: Guides the work with defined goals (e.g., 2020–2025 Plan). – Publications: Includes “General Principles of Food Hygiene” and other resources for guidance. |
