Background Paper
THE RESTORATION OF SOUND SCIENCE AS THE FUNDAMENTAL, GUIDING PRINCIPLE
OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS STANDARD-SETTING PROCESS
September, 2001
Over the course of the past several years, Codex and its constituent
committees have witnessed a steady and unmistakable erosion in the
integrity of science-based standard-setting processes. The progress
of numerous proposals in response to the proposal of "consumer
activists" has led to new work in Codex that should not receive
extended attention by any Codex Alimentarius Committee. Most of
these standards fail the threshold test of relevance: they lack
any compelling scientific purpose related to the fundamental objectives
of Codex, which are the protection of the health of consumers and
fair practices in food trade.
The International Council of Grocery Manufacturers Associations
(ICGMA) believes scientifically supportable standards that protect
the health of consumers will ensure consumer confidence in the global
food supply. Codex achieves nothing if, to allay the "concerns"
of one group or another, it expends its energies and wisdom at the
expense of real and lasting food safety standards. The problem will
only be compounded when, as is inevitable, member states begin promulgating
misguided regulations in an effort to follow Codex’s lead,
in turn forcing food manufacturers to devote scarce human and economic
resources toward complying with laws that do nothing to make food
safer.
A continuation of this pattern threatens the confidence of consumers
in the global food safety regime far more than any imagined gap
in consumer information. What is needed is a return to the hard
and disciplined work of science-based standard-setting, focused
on the mission of Codex for the past four decades: the guarantee
of safe food for people the world over. Regrettably, the only gap
apparent today is the one between Codex’s mission and its
present reality. Remedying this deficiency will do more to ensure
consumer confidence than any member of subjective claims and incomprehensible
principles.
In summary, Codex must remain focused on its primary objectives
of protecting the health of consumers and facilitating fair practices
in food trade – done through the underpinnings of sound science.
If a proposed standard or proposal for new work does not meet these
criteria, it should not be addressed by Codex- especially at the
expense of necessary scientific standards.
The International Council of Grocery Manufacturers Associations
is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) officially
recognized by the Codex Alimentarius. ICGMA represents the interests
of national and regional associations representing all sectors of
the grocery industry and serves to facilitate harmonization of standards
and policies concerned with health, safety, packaging, labeling,
advertising and marketing of foods, beverages and other grocery
products.
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