Codex Alimentarius Commission
The Codex Alimentarius Commission was created in 1963 by FAO and WHO to develop food standards, guidelines and related texts such as codes of practice under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. The main purposes of this Programme are protecting health of the consumers and ensuring fair trade practices in the food trade and promoting coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Membership is open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO/WHO, and currently comprises of over 183 countries. International non-governmental organizations, such as consumer, academic or industry bodies, may attend Codex meetings as observers.
