The FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission is the unique United Nations body responsible for establishing international food standards aimed at protecting the health of consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade. The food standards, codes of practice and other guidelines and recommendations adopted by the Commission form the Codex Alimentarius: the international food code. The Codex Alimentarius Commission envisages a world afforded the highest attainable levels of consumer protection, including food safety and quality. The 26th Session adopted the first internationally agreed protocols for assessing the safety of foods derived from biotechnology. It also began a process of reform of its structure and procedures to meet the increased expectations of governments and stakeholders for increased efficiency and relevance of its work. The 26th Session of the Commission, held from 30 June to 7 July 2003, was attended by 558 participants representing 124 governments and 48 international governmental and non-governmental organizations. This is the report of that meeting, adopted by the Commission itself on its closing day. It includes a full list of all participants and a list of all the standards and related texts adopted by the Commission.
