The United Nations food standards body Codex Alimentarius Commission met at the beginning of July 2019 to examine food safety and quality standards and recommendations for food.
The main focus of the Codex Alimentarius, a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), is consumer health and to ensure fair practices in international food trade.
The following are some of the decisions that were made during the 42nd session:
- To start new work on the development of guidelines for the control of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in beef meat, leafy greens, raw milk, cheese produced from raw milk, and sprouts
- To start new work on food allergen labeling
- Guidelines for compounds of low public health concern that could be exempted from the establishment of Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)
- Establishment of maximum levels for aflatoxins in certain cereals and cereal-based products, including food for infants and young children
- Draft guidelines for rapid risk analysis following instances of detection of contaminants in food where there is no regulatory level
- Maximum limits for pesticide residues in food
- Standards for, almond oil, flaxseed oil, hazelnut oil, pistachio oil, and walnut oil, palm oil with a higher content of oleic acid (OXG), and dried or dehydrated garlic
The proposed work, food standards, and guidelines established during this meeting are a major step in continuing to make our food supply safer and easier to regulate.
The Tentamus Group, in particular, Tentamus North America, offers various services to assist in compliance with food regulations and food safety:
- Scientifically tested product shelf-life studies
- Product sensory analysis for taste, texture, and smell
- Product analysis for microbial and chemical safety to ensure food is not adulterated
- Product full label review for compliance to avoid misbranding
- Product nutritional analysis and nutrition fact creation and review to avoid misbranding
- Product Food Safety Plan/HACCP creation and consultation for overall food safety and compliance
Details of the updates made at the 42nd Session can be found here: http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1200558/icode/
Get in touch with our experts. We’re ready to discuss your requirements.
Contact:
Vy Goddard
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Tentamus North America
vy.goddard@tentamus.com
+1 540 684 9211