Welcome to the United Nations
Inputs for the 2018 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)
“Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”
Codex Alimentarius
The Codex Alimentarius Commission adopts international food standards to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade. Codex is run in partnership with the World Health Organization as part of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme; the Secretariat is hosted by FAO. The Codex Alimentarius Commission contributes directly to SDGs 2, 3, 12, and 17.
Key messages on SDGs 12 and 17
SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
The application of Codex standards, guidelines and codes of practice, such as Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices, are essential to reduce food losses along production and supply chains and to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Codex texts define the conditions for producing hygienic and non-contaminated foods which reduce food loss such as the sound use of pesticides to reduce pre-harvest losses.
Codex maximum levels set for contaminants and veterinary drug and pesticide residues in food aimed at protecting consumers also curb food loss.
Codex rigorous science-based standards for food additives, lead to less food waste by conserving foods.
Codex recommends appropriate labelling practices, and the sell-by-date and use-by date of pre-packaged foods, in particular, reduces food waste. Working within internationally agreed frameworks and developing international standards in Codex through consensus can enhance agricultural management and reduce adverse impacts of chemicals and waste on the environment.
Codex provides guidance on heavy metals in food.
Codex guidelines on GMOs also help to reduce agrochemical inputs and, in the future, will encourage the production of plant varieties that consume less resources and lead to more sustainable agriculture.
There is potential for Codex to contribute to target 12.5 as standards could be set for food packaging and to target 12.6 if Codex codes of practice were set, encouraging companies to adopt and report on sustainable practices.
