What is Codex Alimentarius?

Abstract

There are two goals of the Codex Alimentarius Commission: (1) to protect the health of consumers, and (2) to promote fair practices in the food trade. These goals are accomplished by development of food standards, food guidelines, codes of hygienic practices, and other actions. This paper primarily addresses the various actions that have been taken to achieve the latter goal, recognizing that harmonizing health protection itself results in improving trade opportunities.