What is Codex?
Codex is a Latin word which means regulations or standards. This term is derived from the combination of two organizations: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The joint commission of these two organizations formed the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). As the need for food standards is of paramount importance globally, this standard was established in 1963 as a result of significant attention to this issue.
Among food standards, Codex is the second main global food standard. This standard aims to collect food standards and align them with international standards and present them in a unified manner. In the food industry, to reduce foodborne risks throughout the food chain, all parties in the food chain must collaborate. Any organization involved in food production must identify and control all hazards in its production system, and compliance with these standards ensures food safety.
The main goal of the Codex Commission is to develop food standards in a unified and consistent manner, and every year, a meeting to develop these standards is held by the FAO or WHO. Many countries, including Iran, are members of this organization and can participate in its meetings, where all regulations requiring review and amendment are discussed.
Importance of Codex in the Food Industry
The importance of Codex in the food industry is primarily related to improving food quality across all processes of production and consumption. The reasons for its importance include protecting the health and interests of consumers, enhancing trade relations, harmonizing standards across all sectors of the food industry, coordinating Codex activities in both public and private sectors, setting priorities, providing necessary guidance on draft standards with the help of relevant organizations, facilitating food trade among countries, ensuring safety, and gaining consumer trust, etc.
Importance of Compliance with Codex Standards in the Dairy Industry
Compliance with Codex in the dairy industry is crucial because it helps reduce toxins in dairy products. Given that pasteurized milk contains aflatoxin, and this toxin, if above the standard level, threatens human health, a scale has been set to measure it. If the comparison standard is Codex Europe, it should not exceed 50 nanograms per liter, but the comparison in Iran is 100 nanograms, while Europe’s scale is 500 nanograms. Milk in Iran contains 30 to 490 nanograms of this toxin, which decreases daily with technological advancements.
What are the Codex Regulations for Dairy and Juice?
Codex regulations are published annually at the standard-setting meetings. These regulations cover 10 principles, including reviewing how activities are conducted, member acceptance laws, the performance of individuals and countries in the commission, and standard-setting procedures. These standards are applicable to dairy and juice industries and require compliance from all parties involved, from agricultural products to production and packaging, with regulatory bodies in each country responsible for monitoring and controlling product quality according to various standards.
How is Codex Implemented in Iran?
Iran became a member of the Codex Commission in 1989. Iran’s effective activities in the same year it joined the commission helped attract the attention of the executive director, earning recognition. The implementation of these standards in Iran is carried out through the coordination of bodies like the Iran Codex Food Coordination Council, the Executive Committee, Technical Committees, and specialized working groups.
Is it necessary to comply with Codex in Iran?
The Codex Food Standard is indispensable in Iran and requires national commitment. Since Iran is one of the leading countries in the commission and considers compliance with it necessary in all food industries, it has taken significant steps to protect public health, simplify trade relations, and coordinate actions on food products, ensuring compliance with standards in both public and private sectors.
Scope of Codex Standards
As mentioned, Codex standards cover all organizations involved in food-related activities. These include food manufacturing plants, animal feed producers, transport and storage agents, retail stores, and food-related service providers, including packaging, distribution, etc. All must adhere to the rules of these standards. The Codex standard can be implemented throughout the food supply chain, from production on farms, livestock and poultry maintenance centers, food processing machinery, to factories and beyond, all following Codex regulations.
Goals of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
To protect the safety and health of consumers and facilitate trade relations between countries, harmonizing food-related actions in all Codex member countries, coordinating all activities related to food standards in public sectors and the private sector, determining necessary priorities in standards and providing guidance on draft standards with the help of stakeholders, finalizing and approving standards developed by the members, and publishing them as regulations or codex in the form of regional or international standards. It also involves completing and revising standards after necessary reviews and, if needed, updating the laws.
Methods of Codex Standard Preparation
Countries that are members of the Codex Commission can present their views in the preparation of standards. There are two main methods of standard preparation:
- The regular method for food standard preparation: This method involves 8 steps, and countries can provide their views in steps 3, 6, and 8.
- The fast-track method for food standard preparation: This method includes 5 steps, and countries can provide their views in steps 3 and 5.
