Editing Codex Alimentarius (section)

==Scope==
The Codex Alimentarius covers all foods, whether processed, semi-processed or [[raw food|raw]]. In addition to standards for specific foods, the Codex Alimentarius contains general standards covering matters such as [[Food labelling regulations|food labeling]], food [[hygiene]], [[food additives]] and [[pesticide]] residues, and procedures for assessing the safety of foods derived from modern [[biotechnology]].  It also contains guidelines for the management of official i.e. governmental [[import]] and [[export]] inspection and [[certification]] systems for foods.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

The Codex Alimentarius is published in the six [[official languages of the United Nations]]: [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and [[Russian language|Russian]].<ref>{{cite web|title=CODEX Alimentarius: Understanding Codex|url=http://www.codexalimentarius.org/about-codex/understanding-codex/en/|publisher=FAO and WHO|access-date=6 September 2012|year=1999|quote=Understanding Codex is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian version.}}</ref>  Not all texts are available in all languages.

As of 2017, the CAC had a total of 78 guidelines, 221 commodity standards, 53 codes of practice, and 106 maximum levels for contaminants of food (of which 18 covered contaminants).<ref name=UnderstandingCodex/>

In a 2018 publication, the CAC stated that: "Codex has at times been criticized as slow to complete its work, but developing food standards and compiling them as a code that is credible and authoritative requires extensive consultation. It also takes time for information to be collected and evaluated, for follow-up and verification and, at times, for consensus to be found
satisfying differing views. Overall, it takes an average of 4.2 years to develop a Codex standard – and significantly less for pesticide MRLs or food additive levels."<ref name=UnderstandingCodex/>

===General texts===
* [[Food labelling]] (general standard, guidelines on [[nutrition]] labelling, guidelines on labelling claims)
* [[Food additive]]s (general standard including authorized uses, specifications for food grade chemicals)
* [[Contaminant]]s in foods (general standard, tolerances for specific contaminants including [[radionuclide]]s, [[aflatoxin]]s and other [[mycotoxin]]s)
* [[Pesticide]] and veterinary chemical residues in foods (maximum residue limits)
* [[Risk assessment]] procedures for determining the safety of foods derived from biotechnology ([[DNA]]-modified plants, DNA-modified [[micro-organism]]s, [[allergens]])
* Food [[hygiene]] (general principles, codes of hygienic practice in specific industries or food handling establishments, guidelines for the use of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point or "[[HACCP]]" system)
* Methods of analysis and sampling

===Specific standards===
* [[Meat]] products (fresh, frozen, processed meats and [[poultry]])
* [[Fish]] and [[fishery]] products (marine, fresh water and [[aquaculture]])
* [[Milk]] and milk products
* Foods for special [[Diet (nutrition)|dietary]] uses (including [[infant formula]] and [[baby food]]s)
* Fresh and processed [[vegetable]]s, [[fruit]]s, and [[fruit juice]]s
* [[Cereal]]s and derived products, dried [[legume]]s
* Fats, oils and derived products such as [[margarine]]
* Miscellaneous food products ([[chocolate]], [[sugar]], [[honey]], [[mineral water]])