Codex Becomes Reference Point for Food Supplement Regulation

BRUSSELSWith more than 60 percent of the world adapting, developing or reviewing food supplement regulations, standards and guidelines from Codex Alimentarius have become key reference points for regulators worldwide, according to the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA).

David Pineda Ereño, IADSA director of regulatory affairs, said the 185 member countries, plus the European Union, illustrate the impact of Codex's work.

Because of the harmonization 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," Pineda said. 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."

Some examples Pineda mentioned include countries moving toward safety-based levels rather than Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs), which follows Codexs adoption of the scientific risk assessment principle. In addition, when problems arise at World Trade Organization (WTO) level, Codex guidelines are used as a reference point.

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

For more information on Codex, read the INSIDER feature "Why Codex Should Matter to You."