IADSA: Codex importance grows amid global food supplement law changes

In a time of regional regulatory change affecting more than 100 countries, the International Association of Dietary Supplement Associations (IADSA) has emphasised the importance of global guideline setting organisation, Codex Alimentarius, which turns 50 this year.

“Because of the harmonisation 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,” said IADSA director of regulatory affairs, David Pineda Ereño.

“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.”

Pineda Ereño added: “For example, many countries are moving towards safety based levels rather than Recommended Daily Allowances following Codex’s adoption of the scientific risk assessment principle and the specific steps for setting maximum levels.”

“Additionally, if there is a problem at WTO level, the Codex guidelines are used as a reference point.”

Codex Alimentarius was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 50 years ago to develop international food law guidelines. It has developed over 300 standards and advisory texts in that time.