Codex Alimentarius Commission Adopts Multiple New International Food Safety & Quality Standards at 48th Session

From November 10 to 14, 2025, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) convened its 48th session in Rome, Italy, and formally adopted a series of new and revised international standards covering food additives, spices and culinary herbs, pesticide residue reference materials, grain toxin control, and fruit products.

 

Key Standards and Revisions Adopted

🟩 Updates to the General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA, CXS 192‑1995)

  • Over 500 additive provisions were reviewed at CAC48, focusing on the use of colours across different food categories.
  • Certain provisions were revoked; for example, bixin‑based annatto extracts (INS 160b(i)) are no longer permitted in plain fermented milks.
  • New permissions were adopted, e.g., norbixin‑based annatto extracts (INS 160b(ii)) are now allowed in canned or bottled (pasteurised) fruit products.
  • Some proposed uses remain under consideration, such as erythrosine (INS 127) in canned raspberries and strawberries.

🟩 Revision of the Code of Practice for Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxin Contamination in Peanuts (CXC 55‑2004)

  • CAC updated the code to reflect latest scientific and industry practices due to aflatoxins’ health risks.
  • Updates include specification of optimal harvest maturity, inclusion of peanut by‑products for feed, and recognition of roasting processes as a critical control point.

🟩 Maximum Lead Levels for Spices and Culinary Herbs Established for the First Time

  • CAC set maximum lead levels (MLs) for dried spices and culinary herbs.
  • MLs are 2.5 mg/kg for dried bark (e.g., cinnamon) and 2.0 mg/kg for dried culinary herbs, incorporated into the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (CXS 193‑1995).

🟩 Adoption of Guidelines for Monitoring Purity & Stability of Pesticide Reference Materials (RMs)

  • CAC approved guidelines allowing laboratories to monitor RM purity and stability, enabling continued use beyond original expiry if purity remains acceptable.
  • This reduces costs, minimizes waste, and ensures reliable pesticide residue analysis.

🟩 New Standards for Fruit Products

  • Fresh Dates: First international standard covering quality grading, appearance, packaging, hygiene, and safety.
  • Regional Standard for Castilla lulo (Naranjilla): Defines quality, acceptable defects, packaging and labeling, and hygiene controls to support safe trade in Latin America & Caribbean.

Session Background

  • The 48th session was held from 10 to 14 November 2025 at FAO headquarters in Rome.
  • Plenary sessions took place 10–12 November; final adoption was on 14 November.
  • Side-events included “From Code to Codex – AI’s Role in Shaping the Future of Food Safety.”

 

Keywords / Tags
#Codex #CAC48 #InternationalFoodStandards #FoodSafety #FoodAdditives #Contaminants #PesticideResidue #FruitStandard #SpicesAndHerbs

 

Sources / References

https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/fao-who-48th-session-of-the-codex-alimentarius-commission-adopts-new-standards/en?utm.com