The role of science in international food standards

International food trade rules, as established and agreed under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), have enhanced the role of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). However, the increased recognition has also led to increased pressure for the Codex to define more clearly the approach to the setting of international food standards. The paper provides an account of the discussions in Codex on three complex debates: the setting of residue limits for hormones in meat and in milk and the adoption and use of four `statements of principleʹ on the role of science in the Codex decision-making process. Arising from these debates, the paper looks at the role of science in the adoption of Codex standards and considers those issues, known as `other legitimate factorsʹ, which also figure in the process.