INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION (CODEX)

The following communication, received on 13 October 2025, is being circulated at the request of the Codex secretariat.

_______________

1  INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS

1.1  34^th Session of the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP34, Lille, France, 2‑6 June 2025)

1.1.1  Recommendations for action by CAC48 and ongoing work

1.1.  The Committee has in recent sessions being reviewing the Codex Procedural Manual to improve clarity and usability and reflect on possible updates to meet today's standard setting needs. In this context, CCGP34 agreed to forward to CAC48 several amendments to the Codex Procedural Manual, including updates to the Guide to the procedure for the amendment and revision of Codex standards and related texts to improve clarity and procedural efficiency, and the Guidelines for subsidiary bodies to remove superseded content and ensure they reflected current work practices and needs. Work will continue on other aspects, such as inter-session working groups. Noting that the nature of new work proposals for consideration by CAC is evolving, CCGP34 concluded that, for now, existing provisions could be applied flexibly to review new work proposals where no active committee is available, while further analysis would be considered for longer-term solutions.

1.1.2  Other issues

1.2.  The Committee, in reiterating the importance of Codex work, encouraged members to advocate for the continued support of Codex work in FAO and WHO Governing Bodies. It also noted the positive impact of the Codex Trust Fund for members, as well as concerns regarding its financial situation, and the need to explore alternative mechanisms to continue supporting members in their participation in Codex work. Some members shared the view that there was scope to describe the definition and application of reservations further, as recorded in reports of Codex sessions. CCGP agreed to promote informal dialogue to share experiences on the handling of reservations.

1.2  18^th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF18, Bangkok, Thailand, 23–27 June 2025)

1.2.1  Recommendations for action by CAC48

1.3.  The Committee recommended that the Commission adopt maximum levels (MLs) for lead in spices – including dried bark and dried culinary herbs – as well as sampling plans and performance criteria for analytical methods targeting mycotoxins in various foods, including spices.

1.4.  The Committee recommended that the Commission adopt an updated version of the Code of practice for the prevention and reduction of aflatoxin contamination in peanuts (CXC 55-2004) and discontinue work on establishing ML for total aflatoxins in ready-to-eat peanuts and its related sampling plan. Instead, Codex members are encouraged to implement risk management measures from the revised code, which will help generate more representative global data and may support future ML establishment for ready-to-eat peanuts.

1.5.  The Committee recommended that the Commission approve new work on a code of practice for tropane alkaloids in food and feed, and an update of the Code of practice for the reduction of aflatoxin B1 in raw materials and supplemental feedingstuffs for milk-producing animals (CXC 45‑1997) and the Code of practice for weed control to prevent and reduce pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination in food and feed (CXC 67-2009), to reflect new or improved risk management measures in these areas.

1.2.2  Ongoing work

1.6.  The Committee continues to prioritize contaminants for evaluation by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA); to follow up on the outcomes of JECFA evaluations and FAO/WHO expert consultations; and to regularly review Codex standards for contaminants to determine the need for revision with a view to ensuring they remain current and effective.

1.7.  The Committee continues to work on guidance for applying MLs to spice mixtures and guidance on data analysis for establishing MLs and improving data collection practices. The main document on data analysis (general provisions) is published on the Codex website, while specific provisions (annexes) are still under development. The Committee emphasized the importance of improved guidance on data collection and the application of MLs to complex food matrices, ensuring that Codex standards address both established and emerging contaminant issues through a consistent approach that facilitates consensus building and implementation. Both documents are for internal use by CCCF when considering new or revised MLs for contaminants.

1.8.  The Committee agreed that the broad code of practice for the prevention and reduction of cadmium contamination in foods currently in development should incorporate the Code of practice for the prevention and reduction of cadmium contamination in cocoa beans (CXC 81-2022) as an annex to avoid overlaps and build on complementarities.

1.2.3  Upcoming work

1.9.  The next session of the Committee will address guidance on food safety aspects of recycled plastics in food packaging; risk management options for various contaminants (e.g., T-2, HT2, DAS, ergot alkaloids, in food and feed, ochratoxin A in dried fruit); possible revision of the Code of practice for the reduction of acrylamide in foods (CXC 67-2009); and reconsideration of the ML for methylmercury in tuna based on new data/information.

1.2.4  Collaborative initiatives

1.10.  The Committee collaborated with the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre on a technical document about the presence of naturally occurring radionuclides in food, feed, and drinking water to be published on the IAEA website, with a link from the Codex website. This resource provides food safety regulators with an overview of internal radiation doses typical of exposure by ingestion; specifies the key radionuclides that contribute most to the ingestion dose and gives an indication of their typical concentration; and includes references to international standards and guidance where more detailed information can be found.

1.3  88^th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC88, Rome, Italy, 14–18 July 2025)

1.3.1  Recommendations for action by CAC48

1.11.  CCEXE88 concluded its critical review by recommending to CAC48 the adoption of standards on food additives, contaminants, pesticide residues, cereals and pulses, and methods of analysis. It endorsed proposals for new work and agreed to streamline critical review documentation to improve efficiency. CCEXEC88 also supported including "matters of interest from other international organizations" as a standing agenda item in FAO/WHO Coordinating Committees to strengthen cooperation with relevant bodies.

1.12.  CCEXEC88 agreed on a monitoring framework for the Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031, including indicators to track progress in foresight, scientific advice, participation, and coordination. This has been circulated to all members and observers for comments, and CCEXEC89 will further review it based on the feedback received. The Committee further concluded that the timely translation and distribution of documents remain a priority and are important to ensure inclusivity. It encouraged measures such as word limits and innovative approaches to improve translation timeframes, thereby ensuring the effective participation of all members.

1.4  56^th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR56, Santiago, Chile, 8–13 September 2025)

1.4.1  Recommendations for action by CAC48

1.13.  Adoption of revised and new MRLs: The Committee recommended that the Commission adopt revised and new maximum residue limits (MRLs) for several pesticides in food and feed. This includes the revocation of associated MRLs and the removal of compounds that no longer receive support for evaluation (e.g., periodic review) by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR).

1.14.  Editorial Amendments: Editorial amendments to MRLs for milk and milk fat (applicable to fat-soluble pesticides) were submitted to the Commission for adoption to facilitate monitoring and enforcement. Amendments to the Risk Analysis Principles applied by CCPR were also recommended for adoption to ensure consistent terminology and removal of outdated content.

1.15.  Guidelines for reference materials: The Committee finalized guidelines for monitoring the purity and stability of pesticide reference materials and stock solutions during long-term storage. These guidelines provide a pragmatic, robust science-based approach to help laboratories maintain the integrity of reference materials and standard mixtures beyond their nominal shelf lives, reducing costs and waste, while ensuring reliable residue analysis. Their implementation will support more cost-effective regulatory testing of pesticide residues and facilitate international agri-food trade.

1.16.  Priority list of pesticides for JMPR evaluation: The Committee prioritized compounds for JMPR evaluation for approval by the Commission.

1.4.2  Ongoing work

1.17.  Extension of MRLs for the pepper subgroup: The Committee continues to provisionally extend MRLs for the pepper subgroup to include okra, martynia, and roselle, to support international trade in these commodities. Noting ongoing data generation efforts, Codex members and observers are encouraged to continue generating data needed for future MRLs for okra. Data availability will be reviewed at the next CCPR session to set timelines for JMPR to reconsider these MRLs.

1.18.  Prioritization of compounds for JMPR Evaluation: The Committee continues to prioritize compounds for JMPR evaluation. Based on this prioritization, CCPR continues to identify those compounds eligible for periodic reviews with no public health concerns (i.e., carbaryl, disulfoton, ethoxyquin, flumethrin, and methyl bromide) to seek support for their evaluation by JMPR in line with CCPR practices. The national pesticide registrations exercise for compounds eligible for periodic reviews (with or without public health concerns) has been suspended and will only be used if specific information is needed for unsupported compounds with no public health concerns.

1.4.3  Additional work

1.19.  Harmonization of terms for animal commodities: The Committee agreed to distinguish between existing MRLs for "meat" and new MRLs for "muscle" and "fat", following collaborative work with the Codex Committee of Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF). This harmonization, reflected in the Classification of Food and Feed (CXA 4-1989) and the Glossary of Terms for Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CXA 5-1993), will be incorporated into the Codex database for MRLs for pesticides. The use of harmonized terms for food of animal origin will enable the establishment of single MRLs for dual-use compounds (used as both pesticides and veterinary drugs), facilitating enforcement and ensuring fair practices in trade.

1.20.  Publication of the revised Classification of food and feed (CXA 4-1989) and update of the Codex database for MRLs for pesticides: The revised Classification of food and feed is now available on the Codex website in English, French, and Spanish. A project has begun to update the Codex pesticide residue database, remapping all Codex MRLs (CXLs) adopted by the Commission to the new classification, with external support and collaboration with the CCPR Secretariat. Any issues found during remapping will be addressed in future CCPR sessions. The database technology will be upgraded for more timely updates.

1.4.4  Enhancing collaboration and procedures

1.21.  CCPR and JMPR enhancement of operational procedures: The Committee reaffirmed the need to enhance the operational procedures of both CCPR and JMPR to address current workload and future demand for compound evaluations. The Committee supports a multipronged approach, including both short- and long-term measures, to build capacity and improve efficiency. As no mechanism was identified for immediate funding or human resource support, the Commission was requested to urge FAO and WHO to ensure JMPR has adequate resources for the timely, efficient, science-based establishment of pesticide MRLs. Specific measures were recommended for CCPR and JMPR to maximize the use of existing resources, including prioritization of compounds and improved data submission for JMPR evaluation.

1.22.  Collaborative activities with CCRVDF: CCPR and CCRVDF continue to support joint activities on issues of common interest to both committees, including the possible scheduling of a virtual joint session. Codex members are encouraged to coordinate efforts between their veterinary (animal health) and plant protection (plant health) services to actively participate in these joint activities, to facilitate discussion and resolution of shared issues, e.g., harmonization of food descriptors, establishment of single MRLs for dual-use compounds, etc.

1.4.5  Risk assessment methodological updates

1.23.  Dietary Exposure Assessment: CCPR reviewed JMPR's updates on dietary exposure assessment methodologies for pesticide residues and agreed that further consultation is needed before changing the current practice. JMPR will continue using the existing methodology while presenting results from the new methodology and explaining any differences between the two approaches, as well as addressing the various questions raised by CCPR and member delegations. FAO and WHO were asked to ensure the transparency of the process in applying the new methodology by providing access to the proposed model and data used for the exposure assessment and to develop a work plan with clear milestones for future JMPR and CCPR sessions.

1.4.6  Additional information on the meetings above

1.24.  Further details on the achievements of the above-mentioned Codex sessions and future work can be found in the report of the session. Working documents, including the report, are available on the respective pages on the Codex webpage: CCGP34, CCCF18, CCEXEC88, and CCPR56.

2  FORTHCOMING CODEX MEETINGS OF SPS RELEVANCE

2.1.  The following Codex meetings relevant to the SPS Committee will be held as of September 2025:

-_              89^th Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC89, Rome, Italy, 3–7 November 2025)

-_              48^th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC48, Rome, Italy, 10‑14 November 2025)

2.2.  Regular updates on the status of the work of these Committees are published on their dedicated web pages: CCEXEC89 and CAC48.

2.3.  For specific questions on the status of work in Codex committees of interest to SPS delegates, please check the dedicated webpages or email codex@fao.org.

3  GENERAL

3.1.  In collaboration with Host Country secretariats, the Codex secretariat continues to convene electronic and physical working group meetings and webinars before Codex subsidiary sessions to support delegations' preparations and facilitate discussions and consensus-building. Further information is available on the Committee webpages and the Codex calendar.

3.1  Codex Strategic Plan

3.2.  CAC47 (2024) adopted the Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031, which highlights the importance of member participation, the use of Codex texts, and effective working practices, while strengthening relationships with other international organizations. CAC48 will consider a monitoring framework to track implementation of the new Strategic Plan. A final implementation report on the Codex Strategic Plan 2020–2025 will be presented to CAC49 (2026).

3.2  Use and impact of Codex texts

3.3.  Codex work on the use and impact of Codex standards is continuing. The mechanisms foresee three types of data collection methods: (i) annual surveys to Codex members; (ii) case studies on specific Codex texts; and (iii) collaboration with the WTO and other international organizations.

3.4.  Three surveys have been conducted since 2022, and the reports of each are available on the Codex webpage.[1] Members' participation in the survey increased over time, reaching 71 percent (134 member responses) in 2024. The 2024 survey reinforces earlier findings that Codex texts play a foundational role, especially for low and middle-income countries (LMICs) across all survey dimensions (reach, relevance, and recognition and use of Codex texts). Results of the last three surveys show high levels of satisfaction with Codex texts (over 90 percent) and high reliance of LMICs (over 70 percent) for all aspects related to their use, in guiding food safety and quality legislation, national food control systems, and related training programmes, stakeholder awareness, and trade facilitation. Even if high-income countries (HICs) are less directly reliant on Codex texts, they express high levels of satisfaction, and the results demonstrate a high level of attention to Codex processes.

3.5.  A 2025 case study showed that Brazil significantly reduced fumonisin levels in maize by implementing the Codex Code of Practice (CXC 51-2003). This led to significant improvements in food safety, as well as the quality and value of maize exports. As a result, Brazil transformed from a net maize importer in the 1990s to the world's third-largest producer and second-largest exporter by 2023 (FAO STAT). The study attributes this success mainly to the establishment of national maximum levels (MLs) supported by the Code of Practice. These lessons may benefit other countries seeking to implement Codex standards.[2]

3.6.  Collaboration with the WTO is ongoing. The Codex Secretariat is analyzing data from WTO databases to demonstrate how Codex texts relate to international trade. Preliminary results should be published in 2025.

3.7.  The Codex Secretariat is also working with members to showcase the use of Codex texts in different contexts, including overcoming contamination issues to access or reopen markets. One example relates to trade in melons.[3] This is part of a new Codex in Action Series. The most recent release highlights how Latin American and Caribbean countries are teaming up to close data gaps for Codex MRLs.[4]

__________