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
CXS 105-1981
Standard for Cocoa powders (cocoas) and dry mixtures of cocoa and sugars
CCCPC
1981
CXS 106-1983
General Standard for Irradiated Foods
CCFH
1983
CXS 107-1981
General Standard for the Labelling of Food Additives when sold as such
CCFA
1981
CXS 108-1981
Standard for Natural Mineral Waters
CCNMW
1981
CXS 115-1981
Standard for Pickled Cucumbers (Cucumber Pickles)
CCPFV
1981
CXS 117-1981
Standard for Bouillons and Consommés
CCSB
1981
CXS 118-1979
Standard for Foods for Special Dietary Use for Persons Intolerant to Gluten
CCNFSDU
1979
CXS 119-1981
Standard for Canned Finfish
CCFFP
1981
CXS 130-1981
Standard for Dried Apricots
CCPFV
1981
CXS 131-1981
Standard for Unshelled Pistachio Nuts
CCPFV
1981
CXS 141-1983
Standard for Cocoa (Cacao) Mass (Cocoa/Chocolate Liquor) and Cocoa Cake
CCCPC
1983
CXS 143-1985
Standard for Dates
CCPFV
1985
CXS 145-1985
Standard for Canned Chestnuts and Canned Chestnut Purée
CCPFV
1985
CXS 146-1985
General Standard for the Labelling of and Claims for Prepackaged Foods for Special Dietary Uses
CCFL
1985
CXS 150-1985
Standard for Food Grade Salt
CCFA
1985
CXS 152-1985
Standard for Wheat Flour
CCCPL
1985
CXS 153-1985
Standard for Maize (Corn)
CCCPL
1985
CXS 154-1985
Standard for Whole Maize (Corn) Meal
CCCPL
1985
CXS 155-1985
Standard for Degermed Maize (Corn) Meal and Maize (Corn) Grits
CCCPL
1985