Research - Codex

The Codex Alimentarius, is a global food standards program established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Its primary objective is to ensure safety, quality, and fairness in food trade across nations. The Codex Alimentarius develops international standards, guidelines, and codes of practice covering various aspects of food production, food processing, labelling, certification and distribution.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, consisting of member countries and observer organizations, works collaboratively to develop science-based standards that protect consumer health and promote fair practices in the food industry. Agreed standards serve as a reference for countries when formulating national regulations. Through harmonizing food standards, Codex facilitates international food trade by reducing technical barriers and enhancing consumer confidence. Codex covers a wide range of topics, including food additives, food contaminants, food hygiene, labelling, nutrition, pesticide & veterinary drug residues etc.

The work of the Codex Alimentarius plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and quality of the food we consume while promoting fair trade practices across the globe.

Ireland’s national consultative mechanism for Codex programme is co-ordinated through the Irish Codex Advisory Committee (ICAC). The ICAC provides a forum to enable all relevant government departments/agencies, NGO’s, consumers and industry bodies to make known their views, in a structured way, for consideration in the formulation of the official national position on all Codex issues. The ICAC meets as required which tends to be approx. 2 times per year.

Further information on the national Codex programme is available on the Codex Alimentarius

2023 marks sixty years of activity of the Codex Alimentarius. Codex is a joint FAO/WHO initiative that began in 1963 and looks to ensure food safety for all people around the world. Its main goals are to protect the health of consumers, facilitate international trade and to ensure fair practices in international food trade.

Over the last 60 years Codex has drafted hundreds of worthwhile and beneficial standards in food safety that improves the health, well-being and lives of people all around the world. Since 1963 Codex has achieved common ground across the global food system in areas such as food safety & hygiene, operations, raw materials, security and food fraud.

In November 2023 DAFM in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) held a special webinar event to mark this 60th anniversary occasion.