THE USER'S MANUAL ON CODEX - Department of Biotechnology

When the Commodity Committee thinks that the general provisions are not sufficient, or are inadequate
for a specific product, it may propose additional or different provisions in the relevant sections
of the standard. These are referred to the competent subject matter Committee for consideration
and endorsement. The appropriate general subject Committee would review what the Commodity
Committee developed and offer suggested changes, revisions and so on, if necessary, or endorse
it as written.
3.2 Food Additives and Contaminants Provisions
When preparing a standard, Commodity Committees prepare a section on food additives containing
all the necessary provisions for this specific standard. All authorized additives that are considered
technologically necessary, or are widely permitted for use in food, are listed with a maximum level of
use expressed – for example, in mg/kg, g/kg or mg/l of product. Similarly, maximum levels are also
proposed for major contaminants.
When the text has been adopted as a draft standard (Step 5 of the procedure), the provisions relating
to additives and contaminants established by the Commodity Committee are referred to the Codex
Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC) for endorsement. In the case of food additives,
the CCFAC determines whether or not the proposed use is consistent with the provisions of the
Codex General Standard on Food Additives, in particular the General Principles for the Use of Food
Additives, and whether the combined use of the additive in the commodity and all other food would
pose a potential hazard for consumers’ health. The same procedure is followed with
regard to contaminants.
3.3 Methods of Analysis and Sampling
Methods of analysis and sampling that are recommended by Codex are published in Volume 13 of the
Codex Alimentarius. The section on Methods of Analysis and Sampling in the Codex Standard usually
refers the reader to this volume for methods and sampling information rather than including the method
in the standard itself. The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) may
develop methods that are of general application, and, in this case, is responsible for carrying out all the
steps of the procedure for adopting the method as part of the Codex Alimentarius.
Similarly, when a Commodity Committee proposes a method of analysis or a sampling procedure, the
proposal must be referred to the CCMAS at Step 4 of the adoption process. This allows the Member
Governments time to review and offer comments on the proposal at the earliest stage in the development
of the standard.
The Codex Committees on Food Hygiene (microbiological methods), the Codex Committee on Food
Additives (food additive specifications), and the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues also elaborate
methods of analysis and sampling. These methods are not referred to the CCMAS as the proposed
methods originate from Codex Committees recognized for their competence in these fields.
4. CODEX ACHIEVEMENTS AND CURRENT TRENDS
4.1 Standards and Related Texts 2
As of 2003, the Codex Alimentarius Commission had in place 237 adopted standards for food in all
the main groups of food traded at the international level. Its commodity standards have been updated
to align with contemporary trends for performance-based standards.
Codes of Practice provide guidance on acceptable manufacturing and food processing and handling
practices during production, transport and storage. The Codex Commission has elaborated 47 codes,
2
The number of Codex standards, codes, MRLs, MCPs, etc, are as at the conclusion of the 24th Session of the Commission (July 2001) and the
Extraordinary Executive Committee meeting (September 2001).
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