The Codex Alimentarius Commission, created in 1963 by FAO and WHO to develop food standards, has released new draft guidelines on nutrition and health claims after their 27th Session held on 28 June - 3 July 2004 in Geneva.
Codex states in point 7.2:
“Health claims should have a clear regulatory framework for qualifying and/or disqualifying conditions for eligibility to use the specific claim, including the ability of competent national authorities to prohibit claims made for foods that contain nutrients or constituents in amounts that increase the risk of disease or an adverse health-related condition.
The health claim should not be made if it encourages or condones excessive consumption of any food or disparages good dietary practice.”
This draft guidelines are published short before the European Parliament has to decide about including nutrient profiles as qualifying conditions in the legislation in preparation (see “EPHA position paper on nutrition and health claims” for more information on this issue).
EPHA’s related articles: "Codex Alimentarius to approve codes on animal feeding and foods for children".
The main purposes of the Codex Alimentarius Commsision are protecting health of the consumers and ensuring fair trade practices in the food trade, and promoting coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations.
