Until I watched the Codex Alimentarius video lecture by Ian R. Crane on Google Video I did not know anything about Codex Alimentarius. Wikepedia defines Codex Alimentarius in this way:

The Codex Alimentarius (Latin for "food code" or "food book") is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations relating to foods, food production and food safety under the aegis of consumer protection. These texts are developed and maintained by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a body that was established in 1963 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The Commission's main aims are stated as being to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the international food trade. The Codex Alimentarius is recognized by the World Trade Organization as an international reference point for the resolution of disputes concerning food safety and consumer protection.

Ian Crane argues that powerful "Big Pharma" interests are exerting a strong influence on these standards so as to benefit themselves. They are doing this by making life hard for 1) producers of vitamens and supplements, 2) alternative health providers, and 3) organic growers. Each of these sectors are growing and are taking dollars away from "Big Pharma" in different ways. The Codex Alimentarius is viewed as the instrument of "Big Pharma's" devious plans to control and contain their competitors.

The effect of Codex Alimentarius would be hard to discern in our day-to-day lives, however, a recent case involving a free-range chicken farmer may be just such an example. These particular free-range chicken farmers have seen an increase in their market over the years but are now being forced to adopt new practices that may prevent them from staying in business as "free-range" chicken farmers per se. One regulation involves ensuring that there is no contact between the chickens and any other animals. The concern over avian bird flu is trotted out as one of the reasons for this regulation. This containment regulation would effectively require them to pen in their chickens and thus kill this particular type of organic business that many consumers are asking for though their spending.

Some of the science on free-range chickens is worth considering. The reason free-range chickens are good for us is not simply because they are being raised in a natural outdoor environment; it is also because they have access to grass to peck on which is rich in Omega 3 oils that is assimilated into the chicken's fat composition. This results in lower levels of saturated fats than non grass-fed chickens. You can demonstrate this effect by cooking a grass-fed versus non grass-fed chicken, collecting the grease from cooking, and observing how little of the grease from the grass-fed chickens congeals when put into the refrigerator.

Organic farmers like Covey's have a hard time fighting the system. They are part of an organization that only really represents traditional poulty farming practices and have very little clout in that system.