Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an international intergovernmental body established by the FAO and WHO.
It develops harmonized international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice to establish global food safety and quality baselines.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement to evaluate the goals of Codex:
- Statement A: "to enforce regulations on safety of food only in Western countries."
This is incorrect.
Codex is a global organization representing over 180 member countries, and its standards are designed to protect food safety worldwide, not just in Western countries.
- Statement B: "to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade."
This is correct.
This statement represents the core, dual mandate of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
- Statement C: "to provide quality food to consumers."
This is correct.
By establishing standardized limits for contaminants, additives, and pesticide residues, Codex ensures that consumers have access to safe, high-quality food.
- Statement D: "of overriding regulation regarding food in a country."
This is incorrect.
Codex standards are voluntary recommendations.
They do not directly override national food laws, though member countries are encouraged to align their national regulations with Codex.
Therefore, only statements B and C are correct, which corresponds to Option (B).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The primary goals of the Codex Alimentarius are to protect consumer health, ensure fair practices in food trade, and provide quality food, making statements B and C correct.