U.S. Codex Office

**U.S. Codex Office** The USCO’s mission is to engage stakeholders in the development and advancement of science-based food standards to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade worldwide. USCO manages the planning, policy development, support, and coordination for U.S. involvement in Codex, and develops strategies to accomplish U.S. objectives. The U.S. Codex Office (USCO) is housed in the USDA’s Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs mission area. The USCO is composed of a small yet effective team that conducts international outreach and provides education to promote and support the development of a sustainable global agricultural system and improved international nutrition efforts. **U.S. Codex Program** The USCO acts as the national focal point for the U.S. Codex Program. Several federal agencies participate in the U.S. Codex Program by providing senior staff and executive delegates to represent the United States on Codex committees, and the United States also chairs some committees. [Delegates to Codex committees](https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/us-codex-program-officials.pdf) (PDF, 221 KB) are primarily employed by regulatory agencies that set U.S. domestic food standards. Other U.S. agency officials participate in vital policy, coordination, and information dissemination activities relevant to their agency missions and interests. Two senior-level interagency [Steering Committees](https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/codex-steering-committees.pdf) (PDF, 319 KB) guide the program’s work and direction.