The 49th session of the Codex Alimentarius Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL49) successfully addressed all the topics on its agenda, including two proposals for new work (on alcohol beverages labelling and on a definition for small packs). CCFL49 indeed finalized (i) new guidelines on precautionary allergen labelling (to reduce the overuse of “may contain” statement); (ii) proposed amendments to the General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged foods (GSLPF) to address foods in multipacks or in joint presentations; (iii) new guidelines introducing flexibility in mandatory labelling in cases of domestic supply chain disruptions or due to global emergencies; and, (iv) found a consensus on the mandatory provisions for “country of harvest” for inclusion in the commodity standard for dried saffron. The proposal for new work on a definition for “small packages” for inclusion in the Codex guidelines on nutrition labelling is to be considered again at its next session (CCFL50), based on a consultation and revision of the discussion paper and project document by Panama. No consensus was found on the proposal for new mandatory labelling provisions on alcohol beverages, which is for now parked in the inventory of possible future work. CCFL49 also agreed that Australia and New Zealand prepare a discussion paper on a forward-thinking work plan for the Committee’s consideration at its next session.1
See more information are available about CCFL49 working documents quoted in this article2, as well as in the official report of the CCFL49 meeting.3 Dr Parthi Muthukumarsamy, CCFL49 Chairperson, said: “Beyond the technical outcomes, I would like to highlight what truly defines this committee: the spirit and the cooperation, characterized by opened dialogue, respect for differing perspectives, and a willingness to find common ground. This is not easy, particularly when addressing issues that intersect with national priorities, public health considerations and trade interests. Yet, ‘time and again’, CCFL49 has demonstrated that consensus is possible when working together in good faith.”
FOOD ALLERGEN – Guidelines on the Use of Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL).
CCFL49 finalized the review of the draft Guidelines on Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL), as an outstanding complement to the revised section of the GSLPF on food allergens and allergenic foods4, already reached at its previous meeting (CCFL48). The new guideline will also have to be put in perspective of the revised Codex Code of Practice on Food Allergen Management for Food Business Operators (CXC 80), as amended by the last Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (see Appendix II of REP26/FH). Both the text of these new Guidelines on PAL and the revise Code of Practice are put forward for a formal final adoption by the forthcoming Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49), to be held on July 6 to July 10, 2026 in Geneva (Switzerland).5 CCFL49 agreed to inform CCFH and CCFNFSDU so that they would ensure further consistency with the new guidelines on the use of PAL, respectively of the Code of Practice (CXC 80) and the Codex Standard for Foods for Special Dietary Use for Persons Intolerant to Gluten (CXS 118).6
CCFL49 further agreed to request FAO, WHO and the Codex Secretariat to consider requests from Codex Members to receive training and further capacity development on the implementation of the guidelines on the use of PAL, particularly with regards to food allergen risk assessment and the possibility to organize workshops in the margins of the upcoming CCAFRICA, CCEURO, CCLAC, CCNASWP, and CCNE. FAO and WHO were also invited to make available the relevant digital tools on risk analysis for allergens to these Codex Members.
Methods of analysis on the presence of food allergens – CCMAS feedback acknowledged
CCFL49 acknowledged the feedback received from the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS). It confirmed that several methods for the determination of the presence of food allergens from accidental cross-contain with allergenic food(s), were available to detect and quantify unintended allergen presence (UAP) in foods (resulting from such cross-contact).7
JOINT PRESENTATION/MULTIPACKS – Amendments to the GSLPF finalized.
CCFL49 finalized its amendments to the GSLPF (CXS 1) on ingredients list, net contents (including the numbers of units), and date marking, for approval by the forthcoming CAC49.8
LABELLING FLEXIBILITY IN EMERGENCIES – One single reading and finalized.
CCFL49 finalized in a single plenary reading the proposed draft Guidelines on Application of Food Labelling Provisions in Emergencies and forwarded it to the forthcoming CAC49 for final adoption. CCFL49 agreed to inform all the other Codex Committees of the completion of the work on these new guidelines.9
OTHER CCFL49 DECISIONS
ENDORSEMENT – Country of harvest for dried saffron resolved
CCFL49 agreed to (a) inform the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) on the outcome of the discussions and recommend CAC to share the nine conclusions agreed by CCFL49 with the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH), to be used as guiding principles by CCSCH when determining origin-related labelling provisions for SCH commodities (See Appendix II, Part A, REP26/FL); (b) inform the CCSCH that any request for endorsement by CCFL regarding mandatory labelling provisions that are inconsistent with the GSLPF shall be clear and fully justified; (c) recommend that the Codex Secretariat consider organizing a workshop or side event for CCSCH to enhance coherence and consistency in the application of CCFL labelling texts and that would contribute towards improving the efficiency of the endorsement process; and (d) forward the final agreed draft labelling provisions for the entire Section 8.2 of the Dried Saffron standard final adoption and incorporation into CXS 351 (See Appendix II, Part B, REP26/FL). The final text would read “8.2 Country of origin and country of harvest a) 8.2.1 Country of origin shall be declared*. b) 8.2.2 Region of harvest and year of harvest (optional). *Footnote: for this standard the country of origin is the same as the country of harvest.”10
ENDORSEMENT – Other standards, trade name, name of the food, deviations to be duly justified
CCFL49 also endorsed the labelling provisions proposed by Codex Commodity and Regional Coordinating Committees (CCFFV, CCASIA, CCNE, CCSCH, CCFO and CCFA) for the following standards for final approval at CAC49: fresh curry leaves; quick-frozen dumplings (Regional, Asia); Maamoul (Regional, Near East); spices in the form of dried fruits and berries – requirements for large cardamom; spices in the form of dried seeds – requirements for coriander; herbs – requirements for sweet marjoram; microbial omega-3 oils; baker’s yeast. CCFL49 also agreed to amend the provision 8.1.3 of the Draft standard for spices derived from dried or dehydrated fruits and berries – Requirements for vanilla, noting the reservations of the USA and Madagascar. In the light of these discussions for Vanilla, CCFL49 further agreed to inform the CCSCH about the discussion held by CCFL49 on the intent of the category “Trade name” and consider where the trade names aligned with those types of names provided for in the provisions regarding name of the food in section 4.1 of the GSLPF, whether they were considered synonyms of name of the food, a common or usual name existing by common usage as an appropriate descriptive term, a “coined”, “fanciful”, “brand” name or “trade mark” or whether they were something different, as this would inform how they should be applied. It also reminded the CCSCH that any mandatory provisions in commodity standards shall align with the GSLPF, and any exemption shall be clear and fully justified. CCFL49 further advised all committees development food standards to carefully review the application of the GSLPF provisions related to the name of the food and incorporate these as appropriate.
PROPOSALS FOR NEW WORK – Small packs: for further consideration at CCFL50; Alcohol beverages labelling: parked in the inventory list, for now; Strategic forward plan: to be discussed at CCFL50.11
SMALL PACKS – New proposal from industry supported by many countries this time
CCFL49 agreed to keep this item in the inventory table under the agenda item on future work and direction for CCFL, noting the general support from Members for new work; and request the Codex Secretariat to issue a Circular Letter (CL) seeking comments from Members on the project document. CCFL49 agreed with the offer of Panama, in collaboration with ICGA, to update the CCFL49 discussion paper and project document included in CX/FL 26/49/8 Add. 2, taking into consideration comments made at CCFL49 during the plenary and provided in writing in the CRDs, as well as written comments to be received in reply to the future CL, for further consideration at CCFL50 as a possible new work.12
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES LABELLING – Tanzania did a great job, but no consensus, so parked.
Based on a proposal put forward by the United Republic of Tanzania, with the support of a few other countries and of the WHO, aiming at updating relevant Codex standards and guidelines to ensure transparent, accurate consumer information, prevent misleading claims that could lead to health implications, and ensure fair practices in trade for alcoholic beverages by addressing identified gaps in such Codex texts for clearer and more consistent labelling provisions, CCFL49 noted that there was no consensus to begin new work on alcohol labelling at this time. CCFL49 agreed that the topic will be retained in the CCFL “Inventory of Future Work”, and that would not preclude the possibility of Members to prepare a discussion paper and project document, taking into account discussions held at CCFL48 and CCFL49, for further consideration by CCFL at any point in the future.13
ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS (UPFS) – Too premature, in the context of the CCFL mandate.
In the absence of a formal discussion paper and a well-identified work endpoint work not presented in a formal project document, CCFL49, considering the views expressed by Codex Members, agreed to remove the UPFs topic from the inventory table included in the Appendix of the working document and noted, however, that the topic could be reconsidered in the future should a well-presented discussion paper and project document be submitted and supported by a Codex member.14
STRATEGIC FORWARD PLAN – For consideration at the next session.
CCFL49 agreed to develop a discussion paper on a strategic forward plan for CCFL, including elements such as the need for and prioritization of the review of existing texts, identification of future work and emerging issues, and potential capacity building approaches and activities to enhance implementation of the Codex food labelling standards and related texts. For that purpose, CCFL49 requested the Codex Secretariat to issue a Circular Letter (CL) requesting Members and Observers to provide input to inform the development of the discussion paper on proposals for new work (e.g. new and emerging issues and revisions of existing text). ‘CCFL49 agreed that New Zealand and Australia would co-develop the discussion paper “Consideration of a strategic forward plan including an update of the CCFL future work inventory table”, based on input from the CL, and with the assistance of the CCFL host country (Canada) and from the host country and the Codex secretariats.15
As Dr Parthi Muthukumarsamy, CCFL49 Chairperson, concluded: “We must recognize that the work of CCFL is not yet done. Several important issues of interests remain before the Committee, with the nature of the food production systems evolving, CCFL will continue to address emerging labelling issues. Based on a shared recognition on the need to develop a strategic forward plan for CCFL, to guide the Committee on future work and help prioritize, let’s look forward with enthusiasm to the next CCFL session, which will mark the 50th meeting of the Committee, a significant milestone. Not only to reflect on the past achievements, outcome and on how far CCFL has come, but also renew the commitment to important work that lies ahead.”
The publication is posted in the May 2026 World Food Regulation Review. Find the full WFRR library here.
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