Creation of Codex Alimentarius and its impact on the establishment of international food safety rules

The article is dedicated to the history of the creation of the Codex Alimentarius and its crucial role in regulating food safety standards at the international level. This document is a unique compilation of standards, guidelines, and recommendations aimed at protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in the trade of food products. The Codex Alimentarius holds special significance as it represents the culmination of a long process of developing food safety norms that have evolved over millennia. It is known that the first written food safety rules appeared in the national legislations of individual countries. Historical sources indicate that some of these norms were introduced as early as 2000 BCE. Their primary purpose was to guarantee the safety of food consumption, prevent consumer fraud, and ensure fair trading conditions. However, with the growth of international trade, the need arose to establish universally accepted standards that could provide a unified approach to food safety on a global scale. This necessity became the foundation for the creation of the Codex Alimentarius, which was officially adopted in 1963. The Codex Alimentarius is the result of the collaborative efforts of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The Codex Alimentarius Commission, functioning as an auxiliary body for the implementation of international standards, brings together hundreds of member countries, underscoring its global scale and importance. Today, the Codex includes an extensive array of norms, standards, and recommendations that cover a wide range of issues – from product quality requirements to the regulation of technological processes in food production. The importance of the Codex Alimentarius also lies in its impact on international trade in food products. Unified standards help eliminate trade barriers, ensure equal conditions for all market participants, and enhance consumer trust in products supplied from different parts of the world. Due to its universality and comprehensive regulatory coverage, the Codex remains a key document in the system of international cooperation in the field of food safety.