I had to post this just because I like saying, “Codex Alimentarius.” Of course saying it and understanding it are two different things. If you really want to understand it then get yourself to Rome for the 30th annual meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. I can think of worse places to be.

Simply stated, the Codex Alimentarius is a collection of standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations. Some of these texts are very general, and some are very specific. Some deal with detailed requirements related to a food or group of foods; others deal with the operation and management of production processes or the operation of government regulatory systems for food safety and consumer protection.

Commission Agenda (pdf)