Thai farmers, food manufacturers will need to play by new Codex rules

“The Codex meeting [July 13-20] approved Good Hygienic Practices for food manufacturing covering the appropriate use of water and has adjusted the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points [HACCP] to improve the validation and verification processes. The bureau therefore revised its agricultural commodity and HACCP standards and to make the necessary adjustments so that they comply with international requirements,” she said.
“Furthermore, Codex is preparing to announce a new standard for food allergen management for food businesses that will require farmers, processing factories, retail shops and restaurants to employ measures to prevent the contamination of food allergens in their products,” Juadee said. “Once this standard is introduced, it will affect several entrepreneurs, so we need to prepare to upgrade our facilities and practices to meet this new standard,” she advised.
Juadee said the Codex meeting also approved the use of Xanthan Gum (INS415) as a food addition at the ratio of 0.19g per 100 ml of product and Pectins (INS440) at the ratio of 0.2g per 100 ml.
“These two additions are thickeners for infant food and medical food. Manufacturers of these products must strictly follow the ratios to avoid violating Codex standards,” she warned.
“The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodities and Food Standards will inform farmers and manufacturers immediately in case the Codex meeting decides to cancel the use of any food additions that have been used in Thailand, to make sure that our manufacturing of food products is not in violation of international standards and that our exports can continue smoothly,” Juadee added.