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.
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.
The revised Codex standard applies specifically to:
The updated standard includes:
To support traceability and informed purchasing, labeling must clearly state:
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
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.
This standard applies to all approved species of dried edible fungi, including:
To maintain product integrity, the standard enforces:
Labeling must clearly indicate:
These requirements are aimed at promoting traceability, transparency, and quality assurance throughout the supply chain.
The amendment to Section 7 now references CXS 234-1999, ensuring that:
Announcement Date: October 9, 2024
Link to Regulation
Food & Ingredients Impacted: Dried edible fungi (whole, sliced, freeze-dried)
Effective Date: October 9, 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.
The updated standard reaffirms Kimchi as:
Acceptable characteristics include:
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:
All Kimchi products must meet:
Announcement Date: August 18, 2024
Link to Regulation
Food & Ingredients Impacted: Kimchi (fermented Chinese cabbage products)
Effective Date: August 18, 2024
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.
This standard applies to unrefined shea butter intended for:
It ensures that bulk-traded shea butter—commonly used in culinary oils, confectionery, and other food products—meets uniform labeling and traceability benchmarks.
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
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.
The standard applies to:
Under Annex 1, Codex defines:
All products must meet these parameters to be classified as compliant with the standard.
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
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.
The Codex guideline applies exclusively to:
It does not apply to:
The guideline defines specific requirements for:
It emphasizes formulation integrity for use in clinical and emergency settings, where malnourished children rely on these products for full dietary support.
All RUTF products must adhere to:
Labeling must include:
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
Navigating shifting regulations doesn’t have to slow you down. With Trace One Regulatory Compliance, food brands gain the clarity and control they need to keep pace with evolving requirements.
Our platform helps you expedite regulatory compliance checks, monitor changing food laws, and get products to new markets faster – empowering your team to move with confidence, reduce risk, and stay one step ahead in a fast-moving regulatory landscape.