Codex Alimentarius
International food standards established by FAO/WHO
The Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized food standards, codes of practice, and guidelines developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), a joint body of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations.
The Codex covers: - Maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides and veterinary drugs. - Food additives permitted use levels. - Microbiological criteria. - Food labeling. - General hygiene principles. - Specific commodity standards (fresh fruits, vegetables, processed foods, dairy, etc.).
Codex standards are not legally binding but are widely referenced in national legislation, the WTO SPS Agreement, and international trade. Egypt is a member of the Codex Commission. Many Egyptian food regulations align with Codex standards.
For Egyptian food exporters, Codex MRLs are particularly important for pesticide residue compliance in international shipments. EU MRLs (often stricter than Codex) typically apply to EU-bound shipments, while Codex MRLs apply for trade between countries that follow Codex.
FoodGate Audit verifies pesticide residue compliance against EU and Codex MRLs as part of pre-shipment inspections, working with accredited laboratories for sampling and testing.