The Codex Alimentarius is a code of food standards for all nations. Its purpose is to guide and promote the elaboration and establishment of definitions and requirements for foods, to assist in their harmonization and, in doing so, to facilitate international trade . Volume One contains those standards, codes and other texts that are generally applicable to all food commodities. Volume 1A deals with all matters except food hygiene, Volume 1B contains general food hygiene texts. It is the basic document for all other volumes in the Codex Alimentarius .