Codex adopts 35 international food standards
11th July 2008
Thirty-five new international food standards were adopted during last week’s 31st session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, including guidelines on the use of flavourings and gluten-free products, reports Food Quality News.
In the first recommendations on flavourings, Codex defined the term and advised that they be used minimally, and in regards to gluten-free products, the body dramatically reduced the approved level of gluten allowed.
Other dossiers adopted at the annual meeting in Geneva included labelling guidelines, advice on mycotoxins, a standard for tomatoes, and a code of practice for the proessing and handling of quick frozen foods.
Codex food safety standards and risk analysis principles are developed using scientific advice from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation.
The standards are recognised as international benchmarks and help governments establish their own food policies.
