What is the purpose of Codex Alimentarius?

The purpose of Codex Alimentarius is to compile internationally accepted food safety standards. This organization was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to protect the health of consumers and to ensure fair practices in the food trade. The Codex standards provide guidelines that help countries establish their own food safety regulations, ultimately promoting safe food products and consumer health on a global scale. By creating a set of universal standards, Codex supports international trade and helps to minimize barriers to trade that can arise from differing national regulations regarding food safety.

In the context of developing new food products, overseeing food service operations, or regulating food marketing practices, these tasks do not reflect the primary aim of Codex Alimentarius. Instead, those functions might be addressed by different entities or regulatory agencies that focus on innovation, operational compliance, or marketing ethics in the food industry.