ICGMA advocates the food industry's position to Codex, including
the following committees. Click on the links for ICGMA comments
submitted to the respective committees.
Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
Drafts basic provisions on food hygiene that are applicable to all
food and amends and endorses provisions on hygiene prepared by the
Codex commodity committees and contained in Codex commodity standards.
Also drafts provisions on hygiene applicable to specific food items
or food groups, whether coming within the terms of reference of
a Codex commodity committee or not and considers specific hygiene
problems assigned to it by the Commission.
Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and
Certification Systems (CFIECS)
Develops principles and guidelines for food import and export certification
systems with a view to harmonizing methods and procedures which
protect the health of consumers, ensuring fair trading practices
and facilitate international trade in foodstuffs. Develops principles
and criteria with respect to format, declarations and language of
such official certificates as countries may require with a view
towards international harmonization.
Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants
Establishes and endorses permitted maximum or guideline
levels for individual food additives, for contaminants (including
environmental contaminants) and for naturally occurring toxicants
in foodstuffs and animal feeds. Also prepares priority lists of
food additives and contaminants for toxicological evaluation by
the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Recommends
specifications of identity and purity for food additives for adoption
by the Commission, considers methods of analysis for their determination
in food and considers and elaborates standards or codes for related
subjects such as the labelling of food additives when sold as such,
and food irradiation.
Codex Committee on Food Labeling
Drafts provisions on labeling that are applicable to all
foods. Considers, amends if necessary and endorses draft specific
provisions on labeling prepared by the Codex Committees drafting
standards, codes of practice and guidelines. Studies specific labeling
provisions assigned by the Commission. Studies problems associated
with the advertisement of food with particular reference to claims
and misleading descriptions.
Codex Committee on Fats and Oils
To elaborate world wide standards for fats and oils of
animal, vegetable and marine origin including margarine and olive
oil.
Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary
Uses
To study specific nutritional problems assigned to it by
the Commission and advise the Commission on general nutrition issues.
Also drafts general provisions concerning the nutritional aspects
of all foods and develops standards, guidelines or related texts
for foods for special dietary uses, in cooperation with other committees
where necessary. Amends and endorses provisions on nutritional aspects
proposed for inclusion of Codex Standards, guidelines and related
texts.
ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Biotechnology
Established in 1998, the task force develops standards,
guidelines or recommendations, as appropriate, for foods derived
from biotechnology. Coordinates and collaborates as necessary with
appropriate Codex committees within their mandate as it relates
to foods derived from biotechnology. Takes full account of existing
work carried out by national authorities, FAO, WHO other international
organizations and other relevant international fora. The Task Force
shall complete its work within four years.
Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products
To elaborate world-wide standards, codes and related texts
for milk and milk products.
Codex Committee on General Principles
Manages procedural and general matters referred to it by
the Codex Alimentarius commission.
Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius
A deliberative body comprised of member governments only
(no NGO observers).
Other Codex Position Papers
