International food standards ensure global consistency in food safety and quality. Organizations like Codex Alimentarius, EFSA, and FSANZ develop guidelines that protect consumers and facilitate trade. These standards form the backbone of food regulations worldwide.

Trade regulations, governed by WTO agreements, balance food safety with fair trade practices. SPS measures and TBT agreements help countries maintain safety standards without creating unnecessary trade barriers. Import/export regulations further ensure compliance across borders.

International Food Standards

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

• Established in 1963 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) to develop international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice
• Aims to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the food trade
• Consists of 188 member countries and the European Union as a member organization
• Codex standards cover food hygiene, food additives, residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs, contaminants, labelling, and methods of analysis and sampling
• Standards are voluntary but often used as a basis for national legislation and international trade agreements (WTO)

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

• Provides independent scientific advice and communication on food chain risks in the European Union
• Conducts risk assessments on food and feed safety, nutrition, animal health and welfare, plant protection, and plant health
• Collaborates with national authorities, international organizations, and stakeholders to collect and analyze scientific data
• Publishes scientific opinions, reports, and guidance documents to support EU policy and legislation
• Plays a key role in the authorization of regulated products such as food additives, enzymes, flavorings, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)

• Bi-national government agency responsible for developing and administering the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
• Code sets standards for food safety, composition, labelling, and contaminants for food sold in Australia and New Zealand
• Conducts risk assessments, monitors food safety incidents, and provides food safety advice to consumers and industry
• Collaborates with state and territory food enforcement agencies, public health units, and the food industry to ensure food safety and compliance with standards
• Engages with international organizations (Codex Alimentarius, APEC) to harmonize food standards and facilitate trade

Trade Regulations and Agreements

World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreements

• WTO is an intergovernmental organization that regulates and facilitates international trade between nations
• Agreements relevant to food trade include the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement)
• SPS Agreement sets rules for food safety and animal and plant health regulations, allowing countries to set their own standards based on science and risk assessment
• TBT Agreement aims to ensure that technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade
• Member countries must notify the WTO of any proposed changes to food regulations that may affect trade and provide a reasonable time for other countries to comment

Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures

• Government measures to protect human, animal, or plant life or health from risks arising from additives, contaminants, toxins, or disease-causing organisms in food, beverages, or feedstuffs
• Examples include restrictions on imports from areas affected by animal diseases (avian influenza), maximum residue limits for pesticides, and food hygiene requirements
• SPS measures must be based on scientific principles, applied only to the extent necessary, and not discriminate between countries with similar conditions
• Countries must recognize the equivalence of different SPS measures if the exporting country demonstrates that its measures achieve the same level of protection

Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)

• Non-tariff barriers that can arise from technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment procedures
• Examples in the food sector include labelling requirements, packaging standards, and certification procedures for organic or halal foods
• TBT Agreement encourages countries to use international standards (Codex, ISO) as a basis for their technical regulations and to ensure that these do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade
• Countries must notify the WTO of any proposed changes to technical regulations that may affect trade and allow time for other countries to comment

Import/Export Regulations

• Countries have their own regulations governing the import and export of food products to ensure food safety, quality, and compliance with domestic standards
• Import regulations may include requirements for food labelling, packaging, certification (health certificates, phytosanitary certificates), and inspections at the border
• Exporters must comply with the regulations of the importing country, which may involve obtaining necessary certifications, permits, and meeting specific product standards
• Trade agreements (bilateral, regional, multilateral) can facilitate food trade by reducing tariffs, harmonizing standards, and streamlining customs procedures
• Examples of regional trade agreements affecting food trade include the European Union (EU) Single Market, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)