The Role and Relevance of Codex Nutrition Standards

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, or Codex, was created in 1963 by two organizations of the United Nations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The main purpose of this FAO/WHO Joint Food Standards Program is to 1) protect the health of consumers, and 2) ensure fair practices in food trade through the development of food standards, guidelines, codes of practice, and other recommendations (collectively referred as "Codex standards"). Here, Crane et al describe the importance and relevance of Codex and how it works. In particular, it identifies the roles of two Codex committees in setting international nutrition and food label standards. It highlights accomplishments by these committees over the past several years, and draws parallels between global and US efforts. Finally, it identifies new and proposed work on Codex nutrition standards aimed at protecting and promoting consumers' health, including work related to the Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health.