Nutrition and Labelling

With advancements in technology, it is possible today to produce food that caters to innumerable preferences and expectations.

Confronted by so many options, consumers nowadays are often faced with the challenge of understanding exactly what they are buying and consuming. Food information, such as nutrients and ingredients, are more important than ever before in helping consumers make informed choices when buying food.

The role of Codex in Nutrition and Labelling

Codex provides guidance on the compositional requirements of foods so that they are nutritionally safe. Codex also provides guidance on general labelling of foods and the health or nutrient claims producers make on labels, with terms such as "low fat", "high fat" etc. Codex guidance ensures that consumers understand what they are buying and that "it is what it says it is".

The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary uses (CCNFSDU) addresses a wide range of technical and regulatory issues for foods that can contribute to the prevention of nutritional deficiencies and diet-related non-communicable diseases. The Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) sets standards and guidelines for nutrition information on food packages enabling consumers to make informed food choices. As fora in which member countries, leading industry associations and consumer organisations actively participate, the Nutrition and Labelling committees are important tools for influencing the food system and gaining global consensus on nutrition topics.

FAO Policy Series: Nutrition and Food Systems

Key facts
793 million people suffer from chronic hunger.
161 million children under the age of five are stunted.
3.4 million people die each year due to overweight and obesity.
The cost of malnutrition is of about 3.5 trillion USD per year.

Publications-food labelling

CXS 1-1985

General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods

CCFL

1985

CXS 1-1985

General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 3-1981

Standard for Canned Salmon

CCFFP

1981

CXS 3-1981

Standard for Canned Salmon

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 12-1981

Standard for Honey

CCS

1981

CXS 12-1981

Standard for Honey

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 13-1981

Standard for Preserved Tomatoes

CCPFV

1981

CXS 13-1981

Standard for Preserved Tomatoes

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 17-1981

Standard for Canned Applesauce

CCPFV

1981

CXS 17-1981

Standard for Canned Applesauce

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 19-1981

Standard for Edible Fats and Oils not Covered by Individual Standards

CCFO

1981

CXS 19-1981

Standard for Edible Fats and Oils not Covered by Individual Standards

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 33-1981

Standard for Olive Oils and Olive Pomace Oils

CCFO

1981

CXS 33-1981

Standard for Olive Oils and Olive Pomace Oils

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 36-1981

Standard for Quick Frozen Finfish, Uneviscerated and Eviscerated

CCFFP

1981

CXS 36-1981

Standard for Quick Frozen Finfish, Uneviscerated and Eviscerated

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 37-1991

Standard for Canned Shrimps or Prawns

CCFFP

1991

CXS 37-1991

Standard for Canned Shrimps or Prawns

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 38-1981

Standard for Edible Fungi and Fungus Products

CCPFV

1981

CXS 38-1981

Standard for Edible Fungi and Fungus Products

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 39-1981

Standard for Dried Edible Fungi

CCPFV

1981

CXS 39-1981

Standard for Dried Edible Fungi

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 40R-1981

Regional Standard for Chanterelles

CCEURO

1981

CXS 40R-1981

Regional Standard for Chanterelles

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 52-1981

Standard for Quick Frozen Strawberries

CCPFV

1981

CXS 52-1981

Standard for Quick Frozen Strawberries

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 53-1981

Standard for Special Dietary Foods with Low-Sodium Content (Including Salt Substitutes)

CCNFSDU

1981

CXS 53-1981

Standard for Special Dietary Foods with Low-Sodium Content (Including Salt Substitutes)

CCNFSDU

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 57-1981

Standard for Processed Tomato Concentrates

CCPFV

1981

CXS 57-1981

Standard for Processed Tomato Concentrates

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 60-1981

Standard for Canned Raspberries

CCPFV

1981

CXS 60-1981

Standard for Canned Raspberries

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 62-1981

Standard for Canned Strawberries

CCPFV

1981

CXS 62-1981

Standard for Canned Strawberries

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 66-1981

Standard for Table Olives

CCPFV

1981

CXS 66-1981

Standard for Table Olives

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 67-1981

Standard for Raisins

CCPFV

1981

CXS 67-1981

Standard for Raisins

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXS 69-1981

Standard for Quick Frozen Raspberries

CCPFV

1981

CXS 69-1981

Standard for Quick Frozen Raspberries

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

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