IADSA: Codex Increasingly a Key Reference Point for Supplement Regulators

03 July 2013 --- With more than 60 percent of the world adapting, developing or reviewing food supplement regulation, the Standards and Guidelines from Codex Alimentarius have become key common reference points for regulators worldwide, IADSA has said.

Speaking about the global arena for food supplement regulation as Codex this week celebrates its 50th anniversary, IADSA Director of Regulatory Affairs David Pineda Ereño said that with 185 member countries plus the European Union, the practical impact of work at Codex level cannot be underestimated.

“Because of the harmonisation processes taking place in the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as the number of regulations under review or development at national levels across the world, regulatory focus at Codex level is on many common issues,” said Pineda. “What we see in Codex adopted as Standards and Guidelines we will see in other countries in the next few years; some directly adopted, others with amendments.”

“For example, many countries are moving towards safety based levels rather than Recommended Daily Allowances following Codex’s adoption of the scientific risk assessment principle and the specific steps for setting maximum levels,” he continued. “Additionally, if there is a problem at WTO level, the Codex guidelines are used as a reference point.”

Codex Alimentarius was created by the WHO and FAO and is responsible for establishing international standards in the food area. It has developed over 300 standards and other advisory texts, many of which have been incorporated into national laws or have influenced the development of regional legislation.

“The Codex General Standard for Food Additives, for example, is a key reference point worldwide,” said Pineda. “Food additives are used internationally in different types of food products. Since 2005 IADSA has been active in supporting Codex by providing scientific and technical data to help support its decisions towards the inclusion of key additives in the General Standard.”