Codex Alimentarius

U.S. Codex Office Schedules Public Meeting on 49th Codex Alimentarius Commission Session

The U.S. Codex Office will hold a virtual public meeting on 22 June 2026 to gather stakeholder input on draft U.S. positions for the 49th Codex Alimentarius Commission session in Geneva in early July. For food and beverage companies this is an early signal of potential changes to international food standards and related national requirements, so monitoring agenda items on hygiene, additives, residues, and labelling can inform forward planning.

13 May 2026, 19:20public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

Egypt Notifies Draft Standard For Blend Of Evaporated Skimmed Milk And Vegetable Fat (G/TBT/N/EGY/577)

Egypt has notified the WTO of a draft national standard for blends of evaporated skimmed milk and vegetable fat, aligned with Codex CXS 250-2006 and open for comment until 29 June 2026. This could tighten and harmonise requirements for these dairy–vegetable fat blends in Egypt, so exporters should review the Codex-based specification and decide quickly whether to submit input before the standard is finalised.

5 May 2026, 13:52eping.wto.orgEgypt

Brazil (Anvisa) Publishes Materials From Food Labelling Sectoral Dialogue

On 16 April 2026, Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa published the recording, slides and minutes from a large sectoral dialogue on food labelling covering quantitative ingredient declaration, technology-enabled labelling and irradiated foods. These materials provide early visibility into Anvisa’s preferred regulatory direction ahead of a formal consultation, allowing food businesses to anticipate label and packaging changes and start aligning internal positions.

22 Apr 2026, 19:57gov.brBrazil

EU Final Comments on Codex Draft Standard for Baker’s Yeast (CL 2026/21-FA)

In March 2026 the EU and its Member States submitted final comments on Codex CL 2026/21-FA, urging changes to the draft global standard for baker’s yeast and its associated food additive (GSFA) provisions. These comments signal that BHA (INS 320) should be treated only as an antioxidant rather than a preservative and flag likely future Codex adjustments to additive use conditions and storage requirements that yeast and bakery ingredient suppliers should monitor in advance.

20 Apr 2026, 12:48data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

US Codex Office Announces Public Meeting on CCFL49 Food Labelling Agenda

The US Codex Office is seeking stakeholder input ahead of May 2026 international negotiations on food labelling standards, focusing on precautionary allergen labelling and multipack formats. These proceedings will establish global benchmarks for allergen risk communication and supply chain transparency, directly influencing future national regulations and international trade compliance.

2 Apr 2026, 09:33federalregister.govUnited StatesCanada

Gulf States Propose Draft GSO Standards for Sweetened Condensed and Evaporated Milk

The Gulf Cooperation Council has proposed updated technical regulations for sweetened condensed and evaporated milk to align regional standards with the latest Codex Alimentarius requirements. Businesses must prepare for stricter composition thresholds, additive controls, and labeling requirements to maintain market access across the GCC member states.

28 Mar 2026, 18:22members.wto.orgUnited Arab EmiratesBahrainKuwaitOmanQatarSaudi Arabia

EU Submits Final Comments on Codex Food Additive INS List Changes (CCFA56)

The EU has finalized its position on updating the Codex International Numbering System for food additives, supporting new entries for substances including monk fruit extract and sodium hydrosulphite. These positions signal future international alignment on labeling and functional classes that will likely shape global food additive standards and compliance requirements.

27 Mar 2026, 20:41data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Egypt Adopts ES 49 Standard for Olive Oils and Olive Pomace Oils With Six-Month Transitional Period

Egypt has adopted Ministerial Decree No. 57/2026, mandating the ES 49 standard for olive oils with a six-month transitional period for compliance. Manufacturers must align product quality and labeling with international Codex specifications to maintain market access and ensure regulatory conformity.

27 Mar 2026, 20:25track.pstmrk.itEgypt

Great Britain Adopts New Codex Pesticide MRLs as GB Maximum Residue Levels

Great Britain has integrated new international Codex pesticide residue limits into domestic law, effective February 13, 2026. Companies must audit supply chains against the updated GB MRL Statutory Register to ensure continued market access and regulatory compliance for treated food commodities.

22 Mar 2026, 10:35content.govdelivery.comUnited Kingdom

United States Codex Office Public Meeting on Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP37)

The U.S. Codex Office will hold a public meeting on March 19, 2026, to finalize national positions on global seaweed standards and marine biotoxin limits. Proposed shifts toward worldwide standards and restructured contaminant limits could redefine international compliance benchmarks and trade requirements for seafood manufacturers.

18 Mar 2026, 16:01public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited StatesGlobal

Hungary Notifies Draft Amendment to Codex Alimentarius Hungaricus Quick-Frozen Food Requirements

Hungary is proposing updates to national standards for quick-frozen foods through a draft amendment to the Hungarian Food Codex. Companies should prepare for potential revisions to technical specifications and labeling rules that could affect compliance and market access for frozen goods.

12 Mar 2026, 11:08ec.europa.euHungaryEuropean Union

Chile Proposes Olive Oil Quality And Labelling Amendment To Food Sanitary Regulation (G/TBT/N/CHL/787)

Chile is proposing to align domestic olive oil standards with international Codex requirements, introducing strict composition, purity, and labeling mandates. Businesses must audit product formulations and marketing assets to comply with new category definitions and the prohibition of common descriptors like light or pure.

11 Mar 2026, 16:19members.wto.orgChile

Panama Notifies Draft SPS Technical Regulation on Flavoured Liquid Milk

Panama has proposed a new technical regulation for flavoured liquid milk establishing strict composition, microbiological, and labelling standards. Exporters must review formulations to ensure compliance with preservative bans and mandatory sanitary registration requirements to avoid market access disruptions.

11 Mar 2026, 12:26epingalert.orgPanama

US EPA Finalises Pesticide Tolerance Changes for Terbacil and Other Active Ingredients

The US EPA has finalized a rule amending pesticide residue limits for 15 active ingredients, effective February 20, 2026. Food producers and importers must audit residue levels against revised standards by August 2026 to ensure continued compliance and market access.

23 Feb 2026, 19:15federalregister.govUnited States

South Korea MFDS Consults On Amendments To Food Additives Standards For Sweeteners And Flavourings

South Korea is proposing stricter use standards and category-specific limits for sweeteners and flavourings to align with international food safety norms. Manufacturers should review formulations against new maximum levels for sweeteners and prepare for the phase-out of specific additives like azodicarbonamide.

17 Feb 2026, 16:04mfds.go.krSouth Korea

FAO Report Highlights Widespread Fish Fraud In Global Seafood Supply Chains

A new FAO report highlights that one-fifth of global seafood trade involves fraud, signaling a shift toward harmonized international labeling and stricter traceability requirements. Companies must prepare for enhanced analytical verification and increased enforcement as regulatory bodies move to standardize authenticity and sustainability claims across supply chains.

17 Feb 2026, 14:02newfoodmagazine.comGlobal

US EPA Final Rule Establishes Hexythiazox Tolerances for Citrus Subgroups

The US EPA has implemented new national and regional pesticide residue tolerances for hexythiazox on citrus subgroups, effective February 2026. Supply chain managers and exporters must verify that residue levels in citrus products meet these updated thresholds to prevent enforcement actions and ensure uninterrupted access to the US market.

14 Feb 2026, 19:18federalregister.govUnited States

US EPA Final Rule Increases Afidopyropen Strawberry Tolerance to 0.3 ppm

US EPA has increased the permanent residue tolerance for the insecticide afidopyropen in strawberries to 0.3 ppm, effective February 13, 2026. This de-harmonization from international Codex standards requires food exporters to manage divergent compliance thresholds to ensure continued market access and avoid trade disruptions.

14 Feb 2026, 19:12federalregister.govUnited States

Setting of Import Tolerances for Dimethomorph in Grapes

EFSA has confirmed that import tolerances for the fungicide dimethomorph in grapes are safe for consumers despite its non-approval for domestic use. This assessment provides a critical pathway for maintaining international supply chains while the EU enforces stricter residue limits for domestic agricultural production.

14 Feb 2026, 14:14efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Philippines FDA Consults on Draft Order Adopting Codex Standard for Fruit Juices and Nectars (CXS 247-2005)

The Philippines FDA is proposing to adopt the Codex General Standard for Fruit Juices and Nectars as a mandatory national technical regulation. Manufacturers must ensure compliance with harmonized international standards for composition and labeling to maintain market access and product registration.

13 Feb 2026, 15:54fda.gov.phPhilippines