New Import and Export Food Inspection Regulations Issued: Global Food Safety Faces Severe Challenges!

On 16-20 September 2024, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) hosted the 27th Session of the Committee on Import and Export Inspection and Certification (CCFICS 27) in Australia. At this meeting, CAC released the highly anticipated "Requirements for Import and Export Food Inspection and Certification System".

The main content of this "requirement" covers many aspects. First of all, it has revised the "Principles and Guidelines for Remote Audit and Inspection under the Relevant Regulatory Framework" to adapt to the current international situation. Secondly, the CAC published the relevant opinions of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Health Organization and other international organizations on the import and export food inspection and certification system (CCFICS), emphasizing the importance of strengthening the capacity building of developing countries, and calling for attention to the evaluation of food control systems. In addition, the Requirements also consolidate the Codex Alimentarius Commission guidelines on equivalence of food systems, requiring countries to pay attention to the implementation of the Guidelines on the Recognition and Maintenance of Equivalence of Food Control Systems at the National level.

To prevent and control food fraud, the Requirements implement the Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Food Fraud. At the same time, in order to ensure the traceability of food inspection and certification system, CAC has revised and updated the "Principles of Traceability/Product Tracking in Food Inspection and Certification System". In addition, the "Requirements" also published the "Application Mechanism Guide for Refusing Food imports" to regulate the refusal procedure of imported food.

In order to ensure the health and safety of food, the "Requirements" published the "Standardized Provisions on health requirements" to improve the health standards of food. Finally, the CAC reviewed and updated the new situation of global food work and revised the Principles and Guidelines for the Exchange of Information between Relevant import and export Countries to facilitate the development of food trade and strengthen the digitization of food control systems at the national level.

This "Import and Export Food inspection and certification system requirements" provides comprehensive guidance for countries to import and export food inspection and certification work, helping to improve the safety and quality of global food.