Contents:  

 | Preamble | Introduction | Why it's needed | Organization |
| Food Standards | WTO | Canadian Role | Becoming Involved | Contact |

Preamble

The ministry would like to introduce to you the Codex Alimentarius system of food quality and safety standards. It is important that you know about the Codex Alimentarius because it has the potential to influence your industry and ultimately your very business. When you become familiar with the Codex, you will be able to contribute to the decision-making that shapes Codex food standards. Thus, you could influence how the Codex might influence your industry and business.

Should you require further details or would like to become more involved, contact information is provided at the bottom of the page.

Introduction

The Codex Alimentarius represents the world code of food standards. It is an extensive 13-volume compilation of food Standards, Codes of Practice, Guidelines and Recommendations. It is the world's authoritative reference on food standards, and is utilized by national food inspection systems, health authorities, The World Trade Organization, the food industry, scientists and consumer advocates.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (more commonly referred to simply as "Codex") was formed in 1962 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Codex is an intergovernmental Organization mandated to develop food standards for protecting the health of consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade. Currently, Codex consists of 165 member countries including Canada. International non-government Organizations may also participate in the Codex program as observers, with no voting privileges (much as voting is not a regular Commission practice).

Why is Codex needed?

Food standards are necessary to protect the health of consumers as well as to ensure food quality. The world has seen a large number of food standards established by different Organizations and jurisdictions. At the same time, international trade has grown considerably. It was recognized that there was a need for uniform food standards in order to protect the health of all consumers internationally and to facilitate world food trade. To address this need, the Codex Alimentarius Commission was established and mandated to:

Organization and Administration

To accomplish its work, Codex has established 28 different committees and a number of (currently three) ad hoc intergovernmental task forces. While the standing committees are quite permanent, the task forces address specific Codex issues that arise. The breakdown of committees and task forces is as follows:

The day-to-day functions of the Commission are conducted by a small Secretariat located in Rome, Italy. Decision-making authority for Codex rests with the Commission, which meets every two years, alternating between Rome and Geneva (FAO and WHO headquarters respectively). An Executive Committee, that meets annually, is responsible for making recommendations about the general direction of Codex work.

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Food Standards

There are two types of Standards - general standards and specific commodity standards. The general standards cut across commodities and are handled by corresponding general subject committees in relation to the following issues:

Commodity standards on the other hand pertain to specific food commodity areas. The corresponding commodity committees develop or elaborate standards, guidelines and related text in the following commodity areas:

The Standards are developed through the work of the various committees, adhering to an eight-step or accelerated five-step procedure from proposal to adoption. The procedure provides for input from various interested parties.

The steps in a full eight-step procedure:

In the accelerated process, steps 6 and 7 (i.e., the second round of input from stakeholders) are omitted. In order for a standard to be elaborated using the accelerated process, a two-thirds majority of the Commission must agree. The Commission makes every effort to reach agreement on the adoption or amendment of standards by consensus. Voting is rare, and only occurs if efforts to reach consensus have failed. The progression of a standard through the Codex Committees is always achieved by consensus. At Codex Committee Sessions voting also does not occur.

Codex and the WTO

The role of Codex was significantly enhanced when it became an international reference point for the World Trade Organization (WTO) on matters related to food safety. Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations are identified by the WTO in the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) as the international standard for food safety. Although not specifically referenced, the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) also uses Codex standards as the international benchmark.

It is important to note that there is no obligation on countries to adopt Codex standards as a member of either Codex or the WTO. However, if a trade dispute arises, the WTO can sanction trade penalties against a country that could not justify a more stringent, trade restrictive requirement than that specified in the Codex standard. The food standards, guidelines and other recommendations of Codex are based on the principle of sound scientific analysis and evidence, involving a thorough review of all relevant information, in order that the standards developed assure the safety of the food supply.

Canadian Role and Involvement

At present, Canada is the North American representative on the Codex Executive Committee that meets annually. Canada is also the host country for the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) and the Codex Committee on Vegetable Proteins. This latter Committee is currently working via correspondence on revising the Codex Standard for Wheat Gluten.

Canada hosts the Codex Regional Co-ordinating Committee for North America and Southwest Pacific on a rotational basis, sharing the hosting responsibilities with Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

The Codex program in Canada is managed by an Interdepartmental Committee for Codex consisting of senior officials from Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Terms of Reference for this Committee can be viewed on the Codex Canada website (address at the end of this document). The Chair of this Committee, which is rotated between Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, is held for a two-year period, coinciding with the duration of Codex sessions.

The designated Codex Contact Point for Canada is located in the Food Directorate of Health Canada's Health Protection Branch. The key activities of the Office of the Codex Contact Point for Canada are:

Becoming involved

The Codex Contact Point for Canada distributes documents on each Codex Committee to all interested parties. If you choose to be added to the Codex distribution list, you will receive notification of proceedings in the development of Codex Standards, Guidelines and Recommendations. You will be provided with the opportunity to provide input into the development of Canadian positions.

Contacts

For comments or questions regarding the content of this document, please contact:

Phil Regli
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Food Safety Systems Development Branch
Policy and Farm Finance Division
1 Stone Road West
Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2

For more information on how to receive additional information on the Codex Alimentarius Commission or to request being added to the distribution list, please contact the Office of the Codex Contact Point at:

Office of the Codex Contact Point for Canada
Bureau of Food Regulatory, International and Interagency Affairs,
Health Protection Building (PL 0702C1)
Health Canada
Tunney's Pasture
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0L2

Telephone: (613)-957-1749
Fax: (613)-941-3537
Email: Codex_Canada@hc-sc.gc.ca