Codex Alimentarius Food Regulation Updates

As global food markets evolve alongside growing demands for transparency, nutrition, and safety, aligning with international food standards is more critical than ever. Codex Alimentarius, developed by the FAO and WHO, serves as the benchmark for harmonized food regulation worldwide, guiding national authorities, producers, and exporters on best practices across everything from food labelling and hygiene to additives and contaminants.

With new and revised Codex texts emerging regularly, businesses must stay alert and responsive. Leveraging regulatory compliance software allows stakeholders to track Codex updates efficiently, reduce compliance risks, and support global trade readiness.

This article highlights key Codex Alimentarius developments shaping the future of international food safety and quality standards.

• Codex Alimentarius Publishes Standard for Quick Frozen Raspberries - November 22, 2024
• Codex Alimentarius Amends the Standard for Dried Edible Fungi - October 9, 2024
• Codex Alimentarius Releases Updated Standard for Kimchi - August 18, 2024
• Codex Refines Non-Retail Labeling Requirements for Unrefined Shea Butter - October 25, 2023
• Codex Publishes Standard on Dried or Dehydrated Chilli Pepper and Paprika - September 20, 2023
• Codex Publishes Guidelines on Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) 2022  - February 23, 2023

Codex Alimentarius Publishes Standard for Quick Frozen Raspberries - November 22, 2024

On November 22, 2024, Codex Alimentarius published the updated international standard CXS 69-1981 for Quick Frozen Raspberries, introducing revised criteria to strengthen food safety, product quality, and labeling uniformity. These changes are aimed at improving global trade transparency and ensuring consistent practices across raspberry-producing regions.

Scope of the Standard

The revised Codex standard applies specifically to:

• Quick-frozen raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.)
• Products intended for direct consumption, excluding those destined for industrial processing

Key Quality and Safety Specifications

The updated standard includes:

• Soluble solids content requirements:
  • 18–35% for dry-sugar packed raspberries
  • 15–30% for syrup-packed raspberries
• Freezing requirement: Raspberries must be quick-frozen to -18°C (0°F) at the thermal center after thermal stabilization.
• Maximum mineral impurities: 0.05% m/m
• No permitted food additives, ensuring product integrity and consumer transparency

Labeling Requirements

To support traceability and informed purchasing, labeling must clearly state:

• “Raspberries” and “Quick-frozen”
• Color (if not red)
• Packing medium (e.g., sugar, syrup)
• Storage and thawing instructions
• Manufacturer identification for bulk-packed goods

These revisions reflect Codex’s continued focus on harmonizing international standards and enhancing consumer protection in the frozen food sector.

Announcement Date: November 22, 2024
Link to Regulation
Food & Ingredients Impacted: Quick-frozen raspberries
Effective Date: November 22, 2024

Codex Alimentarius Amends the Standard for Dried Edible Fungi - October 9, 2024

On October 9, 2024, Codex Alimentarius issued an amendment to its Standard for Dried Edible Fungi (CXS 39-1981), revising Section 7: Methods of Analysis and Sampling to enhance global consistency in quality control practices. This update aligns Codex's fungi standard with the more recent CXS 234-1999, which outlines recommended analytical methods used across food standards.

Scope of the Standard

This standard applies to all approved species of dried edible fungi, including:

• Whole, sliced, or freeze-dried forms
• Products intended for direct human consumption or further processing

Updated Quality and Packaging Requirements

To maintain product integrity, the standard enforces:

• Strict cleanliness and dryness criteria for both raw materials and final product
• Acceptable limits on defects (e.g., discoloration, foreign matter, insect damage)
• Protective packaging that guards against moisture, preserves uniformity, and uses safe, food-grade materials

Labeling Requirements

Labeling must clearly indicate:

• Common and scientific names
• Type and style of the product (e.g., whole, sliced, freeze-dried)
• Additional product identification for non-retail containers, including lot numbers and packer/exporter details

These requirements are aimed at promoting traceability, transparency, and quality assurance throughout the supply chain.

Section 7 Amendment

The amendment to Section 7 now references CXS 234-1999, ensuring that:

• Analytical methods for fungi inspection and sampling meet Codex-recognized global standards
• Governments and industry use consistent tools for enforcement and quality verification

Announcement Date: October 9, 2024
Link to Regulation
Food & Ingredients Impacted: Dried edible fungi (whole, sliced, freeze-dried)
Effective Date: October 9, 2024

Codex Alimentarius Releases Updated Standard for Kimchi - August 18, 2024

On August 18, 2024, Codex Alimentarius released amendments to the Standard for Kimchi (CXS 223-2001), specifically revising Section 8.2: Labelling of Non-Retail Containers. The update reinforces Codex’s commitment to clear and consistent labeling across international food trade and enhances transparency for bulk-packaged fermented vegetable products.

Definition and Product Characteristics

The updated standard reaffirms Kimchi as:

• A traditional fermented product made from sound Chinese cabbage seasoned with:
  • Red pepper powder
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Salt
  • Optional ingredients such as fruits or seafood

Acceptable characteristics include:

• Red coloration, spicy and salty flavor
• Firm and crisp texture, reflecting proper fermentation and quality

Food Additive and Packaging Criteria

• Permitted food additives: The standard allows the use of acidity regulators, flavor enhancers, and texturizers, provided levels comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
• Packaging declaration: Each unit must declare:
  • The product name and style
  • A minimum drained weight equal to at least 80% of the declared net content

Labelling for Non-Retail Containers

The revised Section 8.2 aligns Kimchi packaging rules with the Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Non-Retail Containers of Foods (CXS 346-2021). Labels must now include:

• Product identity and composition
• Storage instructions
• Batch identification and manufacturer/exporter details

Safety and Hygiene Compliance

All Kimchi products must meet:

• Codex standards for hygiene and microbiological safety
• Maximum limits for contaminants and pesticide residues, ensuring food safety from production to distribution

Announcement Date: August 18, 2024
Link to Regulation
Food & Ingredients Impacted: Kimchi (fermented Chinese cabbage products)
Effective Date: August 18, 2024

Codex Refines Non-Retail Labeling Requirements for Unrefined Shea Butter - October 25, 2023

On October 25, 2023, Codex Alimentarius issued a targeted amendment to the Regional Standard for Unrefined Shea Butter (2022), improving labeling provisions for non-retail containers. The update is designed to enhance traceability and regulatory alignment across markets where unrefined shea butter is produced, exported, or used in food manufacturing.

Scope of the Amendment

This standard applies to unrefined shea butter intended for:

• Direct human consumption
• Use as an ingredient in food processing

It ensures that bulk-traded shea butter—commonly used in culinary oils, confectionery, and other food products—meets uniform labeling and traceability benchmarks.

Key Labelling Updates

• Section 7.1 Correction – “Country of Origin”
  Codex clarified the definition and presentation of origin claims to ensure that the true geographic source of the shea butter is accurately and consistently declared, minimizing ambiguity in international trade.
• Section 7.2 Alignment with CXS 346-2021
  The updated rule mandates that non-retail container labels follow the General Standard for the Labelling of Non-Retail Containers of Foods (CXS 346-2021). This includes:
  • Product identification
  • Manufacturer or exporter information
  • Lot/batch codes
  • Storage and handling instructions

These enhancements aim to support food safety, traceability, and fair trade practices, particularly in the regional markets of West Africa where shea butter is widely produced and exported.

Announcement Date: October 25, 2023
Link to Regulation
Food & Ingredients Impacted: Unrefined shea butter
Effective Date: October 25, 2023

Codex Publishes Standard on Dried or Dehydrated Chilli Pepper and Paprika

On September 20, 2023, Codex Alimentarius released CXS 353-2022, the international standard for Dried or Dehydrated Chilli Pepper and Paprika. This new standard provides clear guidance for quality, food safety, and labeling to support international trade and food manufacturing consistency.

Scope of the Standard

The standard applies to:

• Dried or dehydrated chilli peppers and paprika (Capsicum spp.)
• Products intended for:
  • Direct consumption
  • Use as food ingredients
  • Repackaging or further processing

Quality and Safety Requirements

Under Annex 1, Codex defines:

• Chemical requirements: moisture content, capsaicinoid levels, and volatile oil (for paprika)
• Physical quality: color, particle size, and absence of extraneous matter

All products must meet these parameters to be classified as compliant with the standard.

Hygiene and Labeling Compliance

• Hygiene Standards: Production and handling must follow:
  • Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene (CXC 1-1969)
  • Codex Code of Hygienic Practice for Low-Moisture Foods (CXC 75-2015)
• Labeling Requirements: All pre-packaged products must comply with:
  • Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (CXS 1-1985)
  • Labels must include product name, style (e.g., whole, ground), origin, and lot identification

These provisions aim to ensure transparency, traceability, and consumer protection in both retail and industrial supply chains.

Announcement Date: September 20, 2023
Link to Regulation
Food & Ingredients Impacted: Dried or dehydrated chilli pepper, paprika
Effective Date: September 20, 2023

Codex Publishes Guidelines on Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) 2022 - February 23, 2023

On February 23, 2023, Codex Alimentarius published CXG 95-2022, a landmark set of international guidelines for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF). These standards aim to improve the safety, quality, and nutritional effectiveness of products used in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition in young children worldwide.

Scope of the RUTF Guidelines

The Codex guideline applies exclusively to:

• RUTF products intended for children aged 6–59 months diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition
• Pre-packaged, lipid-based nutritional foods that require no preparation or refrigeration

It does not apply to:

• Ready-to-Use Supplementary Foods (RUSF)
• Micronutrient powders
• Processed cereal-based foods or other general dietary products

Nutritional Composition and Safety Standards

The guideline defines specific requirements for:

• Energy density
• Macronutrient content (e.g., protein and fat)
• Essential vitamins and minerals required for therapeutic recovery

It emphasizes formulation integrity for use in clinical and emergency settings, where malnourished children rely on these products for full dietary support.

Labelling and Ingredient Compliance

All RUTF products must adhere to:

• CXS 180-1991: Labelling and Claims for Foods for Special Medical Purposes
• CXS 1-1985: General Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods
• CXG 10-1979: Use of Nutritional Claims
• CXS 192-1995: General Standard for Food Additives

Labeling must include:

• Product name and usage guidance
• Nutritional content and feeding instructions
• Target age group and storage conditions

These labelling requirements are designed to ensure global consistency, traceability, and consumer protection for one of the most critical nutritional interventions in public health.

Announcement Date: February 23, 2023
Link to Regulation
Food & Ingredients Impacted: Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF)
Effective Date: February 21, 2023

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