The Codex Alimentarius Commission is developing a new guidance on food fraud that is expected to be published in 2024 or 2025. While guidance for food fraud exists, there is a need to develop definitions and update Codex guidance to address “horizontal” issues and reflect current food fraud initiatives.
The Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems has formed a working group that is dedicated to developing the new guidance. The working group will be chaired by the U.S. with co-chairs from China, the EU, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the UK.
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) will also serve as an official observer to Codex, providing input and recommendations through its GFSI Codex Working Group. The GFSI Codex Working Group comprises representatives from Nestlé, PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, and Danone. Regarding Codex food fraud guidance, GFSI stresses:
- The importance of including industry in managing food fraud
- The need to clarify the roles of Codex committees in the prevention and detection of food fraud
- The importance of collaboration between all relevant stakeholders to manage food safety risks in the event of food fraud incidents
- The need to include feed for food-producing animals
- The view that existing food safety processes and networks provide a good basis for practices and communication
- The need to define various terms with the development of agreed terms and conditions.
Multiple draft versions of the guidance under development will be issued between now and its completion in 2024 or 2025. The final draft will be submitted for approval to the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
