ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION The Codex Alimentarius (meaning food code) Commission, or Codex, as the organization is usually termed, is an international food standards organization whose importance has increased substantially since the signing of the GATT Uruguay Round Trade Agreements and the implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO). With the formal recognition given to Codex in the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), Codex has moved to the forefront of international science-based standards-setting bodies associated with food safety and quality. Its standards, guidelines, and recommendations have substantial impact on food products that are internationally traded. The efforts of Codex in the areas of sound science and risk analysis will substantially affect the manner in which international food standards setting is undertaken. Codex additionally has the potential to significantly affect domestic food regulation because of the linkage of Codex to international trade agreements and because of its impact on food regulatory bodies in individual member countries.
