The Use and impact of Codex texts - Report of the Codex Survey 2023 has been published, with insights into use by Codex Members of four key Codex texts:

• General Standard for Food Additives (CXS 192-1995)
• Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling (CXG 2 -1985)
• Recommended Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CXS 234-1999)
• Guidelines on Performance Criteria for Methods of Analysis for the Determination of Pesticide Residues in Food and Feed (CXG 90-2017)

The 2023 survey has revealed that Codex texts play a critical role in informing global food safety standards, regulations, and practices. The survey suggests they are a foundational reference in shaping food legislation and policy across regions and are viewed as effective in meeting priority food safety and quality needs. The survey results also highlight that Codex texts are instrumental in raising stakeholder awareness about food safety and quality issues, and in providing evidence-based interventions.

Crucially, as well as offering insights into whether and how Codex texts are used and into the impact they are having, the survey also gave Codex the opportunity of assessing barriers to use. The results of the survey have led the Codex Secretariat to recommend, for example, that targeted awareness raising campaigns in regions can help fill knowledge gaps and improve understanding and application of Codex texts. A further example recommends that the Codex Secretariat explores a variety of channels to ensure Codex texts can reach a broad audience, including non-traditional stakeholders. Communication runs through a number of the report recommendations, including the suggestion that Members could foster dialogue and exchange on best practices and dissemination of success stories, case studies, and lessons learned, including through the regional coordinating committees.

The report also highlights the need for Members to continue engaging with the survey in order for it to provide actionable and practical responses.

This year’s survey is under way and Members that have not responded are encouraged to do so. A link has been sent to every Codex Contact Point. The texts being examined this year are:

• Code of Practice to Minimize and Contain Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance (CXC 61-2021)
• Maximum Residue Limits and Risk Management Recommendations for Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods (CXM 2-2018)
• Working Principles for Risk Analysis for Food Safety for Application by Governments (CXG 62-2007)
• Principles and Guidelines for National Food Control Systems (CXG 82-2013)

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Download the Use and impact of Codex texts - Report of the Codex Survey 2023
Information on the Codex survey