At the heart of the Codex mandate are the core values of collaboration, inclusiveness, consensus building and transparency. Governmental and non-governmental, public and private organizations alike play a vital role in ensuring Codex texts are of the highest quality and based on sound science.
Codex would have little authority in the field of international standard setting if it did not welcome and acknowledge the valuable contributions made by observers. Expert technical bodies, industry and consumer associations contribute to the standard-setting process in a spirit of openness, collaboration and transparency.
Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can apply for observer status in Codex in order to attend and put forward their views at every stage of the standard-setting process.
Currently the Codex Alimentarius Commission has: 211 Codex Observers - 48 IGOs, 147 NGOs, 16 UN.
On 14 November 2024, Food Industry Asia (FIA) organized a capacity building workshop as part of its annual Members Day event. The session emphasized the critical role of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in harmonizing international food trade and ensuring food safety. Over 70 senior representatives from the food industry across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand attended the event, which was held in Singapore.
The workshop aimed to enhance participants' understanding of Codex principles and procedures. In-depth sharing on the latest developments [...]
The Codex Guidelines for the control of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) (CXG 99-2023) will be highlighted as part of the World Dairy Summit, which is organized by the International Dairy Federation (IDF), when Professor Delphine Sergentet will give a presentation on the Guidelines and, of particular relevance to IDF, the Annex on Raw Milk and Raw Milk Cheeses.
These Codex Guidelines were adopted at CAC46, in November 2023, and build on general food hygiene provisions already established in the Codex [...]
The Codex Alimentarius Commission Chairperson, Steve Wearne, was “surprised and honoured” to be awarded a certificate marking his election as a Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFST), following his delivery of the distinguished lecture at the IAFSTinduction ceremony of the 22nd World Congress of the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST).
In the lecture, Wearne gave his personal thoughts on the need for Codex to take an integrated approach to the work of food [...]
ISDI – the International Special Dietary Foods Industries, a Codex Observer, is running a webinar on 10 July 2024, 12.00-13.00 CEST, entitled Understanding and implementing the new Codex standard for follow-up formula.
Following opening remarks by Steve Wearne, Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the webinar will provide an overview of the new Standard, what it means for ‘formula for older infants’ (6-12 months) and ‘product for young children’ (12-36 months), and considerations for the implementation of the new Standard, including [...]
The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) Chairperson, Steve Wearne, delivered a “leadership talk” this week at the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) conference being held in Singapore, to offer “insights into the latest developments at Codex, exploring the intersection of technology, artificial intelligence (AI), innovation and climate change, and elaborate on future collaborative initiatives between GFSI and Codex.” In his talk, he highlighted the ways in which GFSI and Codex work towards a common goal of “bringing people together with a [...]
A group of food additives called beta-carotenes are used to add a yellow colour to foods like soft drinks, confectionary and cakes. At the Codex Committee on Food Additives meeting in Hong Kong, SAR, China from 27-31 March 2023, beta-cartones have been included on the priority list of additives with the mandate to evaluate the exposure to these food additives by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). This request results from a concern that was raised in [...]
The Council for Responsible Nutrition, a Codex Observer organization, will hold an in-person symposium on 5 March 2023 in Düsseldorf, Germany, prior to the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU). Speakers include Lynnette Neufeld, Director of the Food and Nutrition Division in FAO.
Topics that will be discussed include:
Populations in crisis: A global overview of health challenges and policy efforts
Between nutrient deficiency and chronic disease: How nutrition has evolved
Adapting nutrition intervention studies to demonstrate health impact.
Learn [...]
With CAC45 beginning on 21 November this two hour event for Codex Observers will explore how they can play an active role in the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Panel discussions will explore current issues on the Codex agenda. Participants will also learn how their work with Codex is of mutual benefit and how Observers can ensure they are best represented and involved in the work of international food safety standard setting.
With guests from UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, spanning the [...]
ISDI – the International Special Dietary Foods Industries, a Codex Observer, is holding an event on 19 April 2022 from 15.00 to 16.30 CEST, entitled ‘Food Additives in Infant Formula – A journey through the technological need and evaluation of safety’.
The event will consider the Codex process for, and principles behind, authorizing the use of additives in infant formula. The event is open to Codex Members and delegates, particularly those from CCNFSDU and CCFA.
Learn more
Visit the ISDI website for details
Registration
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Speaking at the opening session of The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Conference taking place from 29 to 31 March 2022 in Barcelona, Spain, the Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Steve Wearne (United Kingdom) called on industry to join with Codex in advocating for the adoption and deployment of Codex standards.
“Together, we have an opportunity to further develop and foster food safety practices throughout the entire food system – from shaping policies to incentivizing private enterprises in traditional and [...]