Codex Alimentarius Committee Methods

In addition to the USDA standards, The Named Vegetable Oil Standard from the Codex Alimentarius Committee on Fats and Oils (Codex Alimentarius, 2006) identifies quality characteristics that oils must meet for international trade. For example, the standard states that an oil should be characteristic of the designated product and be free of foreign and rancid odor and taste. Maximum levels of matter volatile at 105°C (ISO 662 1998) (ISO, 2005) should be 0.2% m/m, insoluble purities (ISO 663 1998) (ISO, 2005) 0.05% m/m, and 0.005% m/m soap content [AOCS Cel7-95 (97)] (AOCS, 2005). Limits for metals are 1.5 mg/kg iron (Fe) in refined oils, whereas only 0.1 mg/kg of copper (Cu) is allowed in refined oils. For methods to measure Fe and Cu, use ISO 8294 1994 (ISO, 2005) or AOCS Ca 18b-91 (97) (AOCS, 2005). Limits for oil deterioration include peroxide value and acid value. Codex allows up to 10 meq/kg oil for refined oils. Acid value limits range from a low of 0.6 mg/KOH/g oil for refined oils. 

Because of the status of the CAC described above, the work that it has carried out in the area of laboratory quality assurance must be carefully considered. One of the CAC Committees, the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS), has developed criteria for assessing the competence of testing laboratories involved in the official import and export control of foods. These were recommended by the Committee at its 21st Session in March 19979 and adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission at its 22nd Session in June 1997 10 they mirror the EU recommendations for laboratory quality standards and methods of analysis. The guidelines provide a framework for the implementation of quality assurance measures to ensure the competence of testing laboratories involved in the import and export control of foods. They are intended to assist countries in then-fair trade in foodstuffs and to protect consumers. 

CODEX alimentarius commission, Report of the 21st Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling - ALINORM 97/ 23A, Rome, FAO, 1997. 

The Joint FAO/WHO Meetings on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) began work in 1963 following a decision that the Codex Alimentarius Commission should recommend MRLs for pesticides and environmental contaminants in specific food products to ensure the safety of foods containing residues. It was also decided that JMPR should recommend methods of sampling and analysis. There is close cooperation between JMPR and the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). CCPR identifies those substances requiring priority evaluation. After JMPR evaluation, CCPR discusses the recommended MRLs and, if they are acceptable, forwards them to the Commission for adoption as Codex MRLs. 

CX/MAS 01/8 (2001), Codex Alimentarius Commission, Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (FAO/WHO), Measurement uncertainty. Relationship between the analytical result, the measurement uncertainty and the specification in Codex standards, agenda item 4a of the 23rd session, Budapest, Hungary, Feb. 26-Mar. 2, 2001. 

CX/MAS 02/4 (2002), Codex Alimentarius Commission, Codex Committee on Methods... 

---