IOFI AND CODEX ALIMENTARIUS

The Codex Alimentarius Commission was established by the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) to develop international food standards, guidelines and recommendations to protect the health of consumers and to ensure fair practice in food trade. The Commission has the responsibility for developing the standards that are adopted in the Codex Alimentarius. The standards are science-based and are elaborated considering expert advice by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).

IOFI acts as an international organization in Observer status with the Codex Alimentarius Commission and has a standing invitation to all meetings of Codex and its subsidiary bodies such as the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA), the Codex Committee on Food Contaminants (CCFC), the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL), etc. See www.codexalimentarius.net for more information on Codex Alimentarius.

IOFI has been involved in the development of the Codex Guidelines for the Use of Flavorings (CAG/GL 66-2008)

IOFI recognizes the value of these Guidelines providing principles for the safe use of components of flavorings evaluated by JECFA and determined to present no safety concern at estimated levels of intake.

The member associations of IOFI have adopted this Guideline to assure the food industry and the consumer about its intentions on compliance with legislation on flavorings.

All intended new developments of flavoring substances by members of member associations will be assessed for safety through established procedures as defined by JECFA.