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Introductory brief on Codex Alimentarius Commission and its importance
The Codex Alimentarius is a collection of standards, guidelines and codes of practice adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). It was established in 1963 by FAO and WHO to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade. The Codex standards ensure trade of safe and quality food, based on scientific recommendations in all areas related to food safety and quality. While being recommendations for voluntary application by members, Codex standards serve in many cases as a basis for national legislation. The reference made to Codex food safety standards in the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS Agreement) means that Codex has far reaching implications for resolving trade disputes. The Codex Alimentarius has become the global reference point for consumers, food producers and processors, national food control agencies and the international food trade. The code has had an enormous impact on the thinking of food producers and processors as well as on the awareness of the end users – the consumers. Its influence extends to every continent, and its contribution to the protection of public health and fair practices in the food trade is immeasurable. Codex Contact Points and National Codex Committees have been established at country level to coordinate Codex activities.
National Codex Contact Point- Mauritius
To facilitate continuous contact with member countries, the Commission, in collaboration with national governments, has established country Codex Contact Points, and many member countries have National Codex Committees to coordinate activities nationally. The Principal Scientific Officer (PSO) of the Food Science and Technology Division Food Technology Laboratory under the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security- is the current Codex Contact Point (CCP).
Codex activities in Mauritius
It is important for countries to participate in the standards and rule-making process and at the WTO level. To ensure participation in Codex standard-setting activities, it is important to have effective coordination mechanisms among stakeholders involved in the national food control system. This includes involvement of ministries and institutions responsible for health, agriculture, industry, trade, standards, commerce, and, among others, private sector, academia, consumers organisations.
Coordination of codex activities starts with the operation of Codex Contact Points (CCP). The CCP coordinates all relevant Codex activities within the country. National Codex committees are established in many countries to supplement the work of the Codex contact points and facilitate communication among all stakeholders in Codex. A National Codex Committee (NCC) was set up in June 2010 with a diverse membership covering both public and private stakeholders. The NCC in Mauritius falls under the aegis of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security and has been hosted by the Food Technology Laboratory since 2010. This has enhanced the participation of Mauritius in the international standard setting process. NCC members participate in Codex committees through Electronic Working Groups. The Chairperson is Mrs I. Ramma, from the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Unit.
