Codex Alimentarius turns 50

ROME, Italy – The Codex Alimentarius Commission holds its 36^th session in Italy from 1-5 July, and fittingly, the world celebrates with Codex as it turns 50 this month. Established by the FAO and WHO in 1963, Codex remains the top food standard for consumer protection and fair practices in international food trade.

Speaking to the annual meeting, WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, said, "Today, Codex standards are the benchmark standards for food safety. There is no competition. They are internationally recognised as the best, at every point along the food chain."

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva told the assembly: "The Codex Alimentarius is as relevant today as when it was created. Codex helps to improve access to healthy, nutritious food, and provides standards to guide people who depend directly on agriculture and the food system for their livelihoods. Food safety is also important to FAO's global goal of eradicating hunger and malnutrition, since people cannot be food secure, if their food is not safe," he said.

At the same meeting, members from developing countries expressed praise for Codex. Gloria Abraham Peralta, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica, said that Codex has been the basis for the country’s legislation. (See related link for contributions from other countries.)

From India, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister of Health and Family Welfare of India, said that Codex is important in India’s efforts in nutrition security.

From Papua New Guinea, Assik Tommy Tomscoll, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock emphasised the value of Codex for the economies of small countries such as the Pacific island states. He said he could envision a world where trade barriers were removed and "Codex Alimentarius will be the global blueprint for free and fair global practice."

Future of Codex

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