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 156-1987
Standard for Follow-up formula
CCNFSDU
1987
CXS 160-1987
Standard for Mango Chutney
CCPFV
1987
CXS 163-1987
Standard for Wheat Protein Products Including Wheat Gluten
CCVP
1987
CXS 165-1989
Standard for Quick Frozen Blocks of Fish Fillets, Minced Fish Flesh and Mixtures of Fillets and Minced Fish Flesh
CCFFP
1989
CXS 166-1989
Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Sticks (Fish Fingers), Fish Portions and Fish Fillets - Breaded or in Batter
CCFFP
1989
CXS 167-1989
Standard for Salted Fish and Dried Salted Fish of the Gadidae Family of Fishes
CCFFP
1989
CXS 169-1989
Standard for Whole and Decorticated Pearl Millet Grains
CCCPL
1989
CXS 170-1989
Standard for Pearl Millet Flour
CCCPL
1989
CXS 171-1989
Standard for Certain Pulses
CCCPL
1989
CXS 172-1989
Standard for Sorghum Grains
CCCPL
1989
CXS 173-1989
Standard for Sorghum Flour
CCCPL
1989
CXS 174-1989
General Standard for Vegetable Protein Products (VPP)
CCVP
1989
CXS 175-1989
Standard for Soy Protein Products
CCVP
1989
CXS 176-1989
Standard for Edible Cassava Flour
CCCPL
1991
CXS 177-1991
Standard for Desiccated Coconut
CCPFV
1991
CXS 178-1991
Standard for Durum Wheat Semolina and Durum Wheat Flour
CCCPL
1991
CXS 180-1991
Standard for Labelling of and Claims for Foods for Special Medical Purposes
CCNFSDU
1991
CXS 181-1991
Standard for Formula Foods for Use in Weight Control Diets
CCNFSDU
1991
CXS 182-1993
Standard for Pineapples
CCFFV
1993
CXS 183-1993
Standard for Papaya
CCFFV
1993