Simon I agree with you. I have only used it in the industry when asking others what standard they base their HACCP programs on? I feel there is a lack on education with regard to this field out there in the real world. I have been told: The Codex Alimentarius was developed by NASA to implement their HACCP program for the the space program in the 1960's. The Codex Alimentarius commisson was developed after the fact as a branch of the World Health Organization to set up guidelines that involve world health. The Codex Alimentarius we use in our HACCP programs has nothing to do with this commision. Some how these two different applications of the title Codex Alimentarius have been linked together.
Just a bit of clarification on
HACCP and the Codex Alimentarius/Codex Alimentarius Commission:
HACCP (initially 3 now 7 principles) was developed by Pillsbury and NASA to prevent food poisoning in outer space from the late 1950's. It was adopted by the US caning inductry (low acid prodcuts) to control C. botulinum in the 1970's and has since taken the food production world in storm. It is a legal requirement for food businesses in the EU since 1996/2006.
The Codex Alimentarius originated in Austria in the early 19th century. It is a book that contains rules and regulations for food production - particularly concerned with adulteration, ingredients and labelling. The concept of this book was taken as a basis for a world-wide food chain management organisation.
In 1963 the FAO/WHO began to develop a series of food standards that guide food producers worldwide under the name of Codex Alimentarius. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) develops these standards. Today more than 174 countries have an input on the work of the CAC, which since 1969 also publishes a
HACCP standard, which is widely recognised as being authoritative.
The Austrian Food Code today is still called Codex Alimentarius Austriacus and is different from the standards of the CAC.
Codex Alimentarius Commission WebsiteCodex Alimentarius Commission Explanatory Booklet
Wikipedia: Codex Alimentarius AustriacusHope this helps to clear up misunderstandings.
Edited by MKRMS, 22 April 2011 - 11:23 AM.