International relations
The Food Standards Agency aims to ensure that imported foods meet the required UK standards, in order to protect the safety and interests of the consumer.
It represents the UK Government on the following international bodies:
- Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex Alimentarius)
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)
- World Trade Organisation (WTO)
- Office International des Epizooties / World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
The FSA negotiates on behalf of the UK Government in the joint FAO/WHO body, Codex Alimentarius Commission (created to develop food standards, guidelines and related texts such as codes of practice) to influence the standards set for food traded globally and for better consumer involvement in the development of standards.
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Codex
The Codex Alimentarius is a series of food standards and related texts that aim to provide a high level of consumer protection and fair practice in the international trade of food and agricultural products.