Codex Alimentarius Commission

CAC is a recognised body with its set of standards formed internationally for foods and agricultural aspects. The CAC was joined with the establishments of the Food and Agricultural Organization, FAO and WHO world and health organization in May 1963. The objective of CAC is to prevent consumers from unfair food products and establish fair practices in the trade-related to food and agriculture. CAC is responsible for setting up different standards followed worldwide for practices related to the food trade. Furthermore, the standards are applicable in most of the countries and food trade practices are measured parameters set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Codex Alimentarius Commission: overview 

Codex Alimentarius Commission can be understood as the body formed in November month of 1961. The body was formed by the parent organization Food and Agriculture organizations (FAO) associated with the United Nations and later joined by WHO in 1962. The first session held by CAC was in 1963 October. In addition to the commission, standards, guidelines, rules and regulations are accepted and implemented globally in this intergovernmental organization. The commission provided standards for ensuring fair food practices worldwide. The commission aims to protect the customers from hazardous food materials that can deter the health of the customers. 

The CAC receives the delegations from member organizations which are FAO and WHO. As per the reports of the CAC total members in the organization come from 188 member countries being the 189 members. The CAC also provides for the guidelines for agriculture associated with the production of raw materials for food and related items. CAC monitors the food practices that are run in the international market and amend it with the time according to the necessities of the international market.

Codex Alimentarius

Codex Alimentarius can be understood as the set of standards, guidelines, rules and regulations developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission with the view to protect the interest of the customers in food trade practices. The book provided recommendations that are internationally accepted and implemented by the governments of the different countries globally for food and agricultural practices. In addition to the CAC, the Codex Alimentarius also develops its contents on the recommendation and suggestion provided by FAO and WHO of the United Nations. CAC consists of more than 180 members belonging to member countries of the CAC body. Codex Alimentarius highlight clear picture and emerged as a reference for different food manufacturers, customers, governments and organizations. Its standards are efficient in understanding the needs of customers as well as the traders in the food industry. CAC body also encompasses the regulation and for food agriculture for prevention of health standards of its customers.

Codex Standard

Codex standards are the set of standards and guidelines issued by Codex Alimentarius under the supervision and development of CAC. Codex standards are widely accepted worldwide and possesses various reasons to ensure safe trade practices concerning food and agriculture. The standards are voluntary and based on general and specific incidents as recognised by the WTO and FAO. Codex standards also comprised codes of practices for the member countries. Codex standards specifically deal with labelling, contaminants, nutrition, hygiene practices and inspection and certifications. It also deals with the drug trade practices related to veterinary drugs. Codex standards are majorly focused on food groups. On the other hand, regional standards are developed by the committee from the Regional Coordinating Committee based on the needs of different countries.

Conclusion 

Codex Alimentarius Commission is an international body established in 1961 with the association of FAO and WHO. The commission is formed with the primary objective for prevention and protection of the interest of the consumers and ensuring fair food practices in the international market. In addition to the primary objectives, CAS is also responsible to launch a specific set of standards applicable for the food trade practices for the member countries. Currently, more than 180 member countries are joined with the CAC and are working for the development and improvement of standards and codes of practices issued by Codex Alimentarius references.