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4.1
The eight step process
The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is the only global body responsible for the setting of international food standards. The CAC was set up as a joint program of FAO and WHO and has well defined structures and processes for formulation of international food standards (for further information on how Codex works, please see Resource Manuals 1 and 2. Codex works through several horizontal and vertical committees. Each government is expected to send a national delegation to these committees to deliberate on agenda items circulated in advance. There is an 8-step process for
approval of a standard that goes through a long and laborious debate at each of the steps).
4.2
The ‘rich-nations’ club
While theoretically all Codex member states are eligible to attend, most meetings are dominated by delegations from developed countries. For this reason it has frequently been remarked that Codex is a ‘rich-nations club’. At a past meeting of the Codex Committee for General Principles (CCGP), a member of the Indian delegation representing the dairy industry quoted an unnamed ‘observer’s’ comment to this effect. This drew a furore from the Chair and many delegates from OECD countries who were present. Most developing country delegates however who were present in the session later congratulated the Indian delegate for speaking out on what was perceived as true.
4.3
Codex standards generally higher
However dominated by developed countries the Codex process may be, it can advance
Chapter 4: Understanding the Codex process
consumer protection through formulation of consumer-friendly food standards. Its food standards cover a wide range of ingredients, contaminants, adulterants, toxic materials, food colours, food labels, food hygiene etc. These Codex standards can be used effectively to bring national standards in line with Codex standards. The average level of protection available to consumers in developed markets is higher than the average level of similar
protection in a developing economy. The Codex standards, which have been historically
developed by major influence of delegations from developed countries generally, are of a higher standard than those available in many developing countries. Bringing national standards closer to Codex standards, in many
cases, may help to improve the level of protection for consumers in developing markets. There may be situations where Codex standards are not appropriate for national peculiarities, and in these circumstances national standards will be based on the
relevant parameters.
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It is not easy to gain acceptance as a dialogue partner in national Codex work without having the credentials to work in the area of “food safety”. The following five points are useful for a consumer group to build such credentials. 1. A consumer group needs to ‘sell’ its past record in matters of food safety. One of the ways to do so is to recall the past when it had made any recognised contribution to national food safety debates. It would not be out of place to prepare a fact sheet on its past
contribution to food safety work and advertise this to a carefully selected audience.
2. It would be worthwhile to let the National Codex Contact Point (NCCP) hear about your credentials before s/he meets you. A personal meeting with your NCCP is essential to build a bridge and gain a foothold for future dialogue on food safety. The NCCP is usually a
government official who may not be used to interacting with a consumer group. In a country where the consumer movement is at an early stage of growth, the NCCP may not even accept a consumer group as a legitimate advocate of consumers interests, for example, during an international training workshop on Codex in Bangkok in August 1999, a representative of the Thai Codex Secretariat maintained that since their Ministry of Consumer Affairs was consulted in Codex matters there was no need
to induct consumer groups into the National Codex Committee. Such a position is likely to be taken by officials in countries where the consumer movement is still rather young. 3. The group needs to take extra care to build and maintain its relationship and credentials with national food safety officials. It will be wise to send periodic letters to the NCCP on food issues of concern to consumers.
4. It is useful to persuade recognised scientists and technical experts to acknowledge their association with your group. One way to do so is to set up your group’s ‘Food Safety
Committee’ with local technical experts. Retired university professors, scientists, government officials with expertise in any branch of food technology or science can be invited to serve on the Committee on an honorary basis. This helps to reinforce the credentials of the consumer organisation in the food safety dialogue.
5. Where the consumer group has a favourable working relationship it can ask the Federal Ministry in charge of Consumer Affairs or its equivalent to introduce the group to the government department in charge of Codex matters. This helps to increase the comfort level and reinforce the consumer group’s credentials and legitimacy.
5.1