Below is a list of issues currently under discussion at Codex and other international forums that are relevant to the Australian Seafood Industry. SafeFish welcomes any technical advice, comments, or input around these issues.
Issues under discussion at Codex
In April 2024, the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) agreed to establish a Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Cadmium Contamination in Foods. The Code of Practice is intended to provide guidance to countries and industry on measures to prevent or reduce cadmium in foods in the areas of source-directed measures, agriculture and aquaculture techniques, drinking water, food ingredients and processing, and production and use of food packaging and storage products. The Code of Practice is expected to be finalised in 2027.
Further information is available by contacting the SafeFish Secretariat at info@safefish.com.au.
In November 2018, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a full evaluation of known ciguatoxins (toxicological assessment and exposure assessment) including geographic distribution and rate of illness, congeners and methods of detection. The Expert Meeting concluded that although there were many gaps in the available information about ciguatera poisoning, there were some needs that required urgent attention regarding both risk management and research. A copy of the FAO/WHO Expert Meeting report is available here.
The Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) subsequently developed a Code of Practice for the Prevention or Reduction of Ciguatera Poisoning (CXC 83-2024). This document provides guidance on recommended practices to prevent or reduce ciguatera poisoning for different types of stakeholders including competent authorities, fish sector operators (fishers, seafood processors, and seafood retail workers), health care professionals, and consumers.
In September 2024, the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS) developed draft guidelines for the prevention and control of food fraud and agreed to forward the draft guidelines to the Codex Alimentarius Commission for adoption at Step 5. An electronic working group will be established to consider all outstanding issues. Food fraud incidents can present a risk to public health and can result in economic loss for consumers and other stakeholders, disruption in trade, reputational damage, and unfair economic advantages.
Further information on the draft guidelines is available by contacting the SafeFish Secretariat at info@safefish.com.au.
In July 2026, the Codex Alimentarius Commission requested that the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP) commence work that aims to develop appropriate sampling plans for histamine in the 11 fish and fishery product commodity standards. The primary approach for the control of histamine production is through the management of time and temperature. The development of histamine sampling plans had previously been postponed by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) in 2018 as no agreement could be reached. CCFFP are scheduled to meet in 2028.
In December 2025, the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) revised the Guidelines on the Application of General Principles of Food Hygiene to the Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Foods (CXG 61-2007). These guidelines are intended for ready-to-eat foods and are applicable throughout the food chain, from primary production to consumption. This work was supported in a number of technical outputs developed by JEMRA including:
- FAO and WHO (2022) Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods: attribution, characterization and monitoring (report available here)
- FAO and WHO (2024). Risk assessment of Listeria monocytogenes in foods: Part 1: Formal models (report available here)
- FAO and WHO (2025). Risk assessment of Listeria monocytogenes in foods. Part 2: Risk assessment (report available here)
In May 2024, the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling completed a review of methods of analysis for fish and fishery products in Codex documents. All methods in the fish and fishery product standards have been moved into the Recommended Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CXS 234-1999).
Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) have adopted maximum levels (MLs) for methylmercury in Tuna (1.2 mg/kg), Alfonsino (1.5 mg/kg), Marlin (1.7 mg/kg), Shark (1.6 mg/kg), Orange Roughy (0.8 mg/kg) and Pink Cusk-Eel (1.0mg/kg). No consensus could be reached on setting an appropriate ML for methylmercury in Swordfish, and Codex agreed to discontinue the development of MLs for methylmercury in all other fish species due to low levels of methylmercury or insufficient data.
Maximum levels were set based on the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle. However, when Codex established the ML for methylmercury in tuna there were varying opinions by some Codex members on the suitability of the ML and the 1.2mg/kg level was adopted as a compromise, with a plan for it to be reviewed in 2021.
Throughout the development of this work, SafeFish has assisted in the upload of some methylmercury and total mercury data from Australia to the GEMS/Food database, and prepared formal technical submissions providing comments on the discussion paper produced by the EWGs to Codex Australia. SafeFish continues to advocate that prior to any MLs being established the contaminant needs to be present in amounts that are significant for total exposure and that sampling plans, if developed, should be practical and feasible whilst ensuring food safety using a risk-benefit based approach.
In 2024 CCCF forwarded the sampling plans for methylmercury to CCMAS for endorsement and to CAC for adoption. The sampling plans were adopted in November 2024. It was noted that if the sampling plans were not practical then CCCF could come back with a revision/amendment. An CCCF electronic working group was established in 2025 to develop a discussion paper on reviewing the maximum limit for methylmercury in tuna and associated sampling plans. CCCF are scheduled to meet in October 2026. Further information is available on this topic by contacting the SafeFish Secretariat at info@safefish.com.au.
In 2022 the guidelines to control pathogenic Vibrio species in seafood were revised to include the following and then forwarded to the CAC for adoption at Step 5:
- updated microbiological monitoring methods including molecular-based approaches;
- latest scientific data, information on new pathogenic strains and their geographical spread and clinical incidence;
- detection and characterization of Vibrio species;
- remote sensing-based techniques to measure variables such as temperature and salinity, climate change; and
- practical interventions that can be used to reduce vibriosis risks associated with the consumption of seafood (e.g. pre-harvest (relaying), at harvest (such as reduced cooling times) and post-harvest treatments (high-pressure processing, freezing and pasteurization, etc).
At CCFH54, it was determined that the committee will revisit the text once Annex II on Fish and Fishery Products of the Guidelines for the Safe Use and Reuse of Water in Food Production and Processing (CXG 100-2023) is completed. More information on the agreed revisions is available by contacting the SafeFish Secretariat at info@safefish.com.au.
In December 2022, the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) agreed to forward the draft guidelines for the General Section and an annex on Fresh Produce to the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) for adoption. CCFH also agreed to establish an EWG to further develop the annex on fishery products.
In 2023 the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) released its report for determining appropriate and fit-for-purpose microbiological criteria for water sourcing, use and reuse in fish and fishery products from primary production to retail. A copy of the report is available here.
In December 2025, CCFH approved Annex II (Fish and Fishery Products) and Annex IV (Water fit-for-purpose, safety management, and technologies for recovery and treatment of water for reuse) and agreed to forward them to CAC for adoption. Adoption by CAC is expected in July 2026
A Codex working group are revising the the Guidelines on the Application of General Principles of Food Hygiene to the Control of Viruses in Food (CXG 79-2012) to take into account the latest scientific information and to align the document with the Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene (CXG 1-1969). The changes are predominately based on the following two JEMRA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment) technical reports:
- FAO and WHO (2024) Microbiological risk assessment of viruses in foods: Part 1: Food attribution, analytical methods and indicators – meeting report. Microbiological Risk Assessment Series No. 49. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd3396en
- FAO and WHO (2026). Microbiological risk assessment of viruses in foods. Part 2: Prevention and intervention measures – Meeting Report. Microbiological Risk Assessment Series No. 50.
Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd7637en
The proposed revisions include that that Male specific coliphages (MSC) can be used as additional indicators for potential human enteric virus contamination and refers the reader to additional guidance that is contained within the following report:
- FAO and WHO (2021) Technical guidance for the development of the growing area aspects of Bivalve Mollusc Sanitation Programmes. Second edition. Food Safety and Quality Series No.5A. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb5072en.
It will also emphasise that cooking/heat-treatment whilst it may reduce viral loads is often insufficient to fully inactivate viruses and the importance of preventing virus contamination of growing waters and during harvesting operations. More information on the proposed revisions is available by contacting the SafeFish Secretariat at info@safefish.com.au.
Issues under discussion at other International standard setting forums
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have released a summary report following an Ad hoc Expert Meeting on Water Quality in Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Implications, held in Rome in May 2025. The report prioritises food safety issues related to chemical water quality and highlights gaps in monitoring regulation, and standardized assessment methods. The recommendations included cross sector collaboration under a ‘One Health’ approach, improved guidance, research and capability building to better manage chemical risks in agrifood water systems. Download the report here.
Updated: 13 August 2026
In 2017, EFSA’s Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain concluded that the presence of glycidyl esters in food is of health concern and the presence of 3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters is of health concern in certain exposure scenarios and population groups. Maximum levels (ML) for glycidyl fatty acid esters (expressed as glycidol), and for the sum of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters (expressed as 3-MCPD) have been established in some commodities in Regulation (EU) 2023/915. These compounds may be formed during manufacture of hydrolysed vegetable protein and in fat/oil refining processes.
SPS Notification (G/SPS/N/EU/935) proposes to reduce the ML of glycidyl fatty acid esters and the sum of 3-MCDP and 3-MCDP fatty acid esters in fish oils and oils from other marine organisms destined for the production of baby food and processes cereal-based food for infants and young children.
This proposal has now been adopted by Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 of 29 July 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/915.
The National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China have released a WTO SPS Notification (G/SPS/N/CHN/1330) on their intentions to revise their National Food Safety Standard (GB 2762-2022) – Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods.
The scope of changes impacting aquatic products includes:
- Altering the text and cross-references related to the application principles for dried aquatic products (principle 3.5);
- Reducing the maximum level of lead in jellyfish from 2 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg;
- Inclusion of reference to GB 31602 (National Food Safety Standard – Dried Sea Cucumber). This standard specifies that contaminants in dried sea cucumbers shall be tested after a specific rehydration process is undertaken.
SafeFish holds unofficial translations of the standard and can be provided upon request. If you have any concerns relating to the proposed changes above, or you would like further information, please contact the SafeFish Secretariat on: info@safefish.com.au.
Updated: 25 September 2025
In 2024 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) updated their risk assessment of chronic dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in food. EFSA concluded that their current dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in food continues to raise health concerns. The main contributors to the dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic were rice, rice-based products, grains and grain-based products (not containing rice) and drinking water. In the adult population, ‘fish and other seafood’ were also apparent sources of inorganic arsenic in certain countries. In March 2025 the European Union proposed to introduce maximum levels (MLs) for inorganic arsenic in fish, crustaceans, bivalve mollusc, and cephalopods.
On 17 September 2025 the EU confirmed the introduction of Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1891 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/915.
The FAO and WHO are actively researching the impact of microplastics on food safety, human health and agricultural practices, highlighting the need for better management and understanding of plastic pollution in food systems. A number of relevant reports have been developed:
- FAO Report: “Microplastics in Food Commodities: A Food Safety Review on Human Exposure Through Dietary Sources”. This report outlines the existing literature on the occurrence of microplastics and their associated contaminants in foods. It estimates the dietary exposure of consumers to these materials, highlights some knowledge gaps with respect to their relevance to public health, and offers some recommendations for future work on microplastic particles to support food safety governance.
- WHO Report: “Dietary and inhalation exposure to nano- and microplastic particles and potential implications for human health”. This report considered the exposure from the environment, including exposure via food, water and air. The WHO assessed the risks to human health from exposure to microplastic particles from the environment, and identified research needs and defined the scope of future work needed on microplastic particles to address current uncertainties.
- FAO Report: “The impact of microplastics on the gut microbiome and health – A food safety perspective”. This report noted that the number of available studies evaluating the impacts of microplastics on the gut microbiota is limited and recommended further research is required to understand if and how microplastic exposure or co-exposure with other chemicals affects the host and the gut microbiome.
In 2023 the FAO/WHO convened an expert meeting to update the 2010 report on the risks and benefits of fish consumption. The expert consultation considered new scientific evidence which focused on:
- Evidence of health benefits from fish consumption;
- Toxic effects of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs;
- Toxic effects of methylmercury;
- The role of selenium regarding the health effects of methylmercury;
- Occurrence data for methylmercury, dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in fisheries and aquaculture products.
A Summary Report is available here and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on the Risks and Benefits of Fish Consumption report was published in October 2024.
The updated report concluded that consuming fish provides energy, protein and a range of other nutrients important for health, and that there are benefits related to fish consumption during all life stages (pregnancy, childhood and adulthood). General population studies show that the benefits and individual effects of fish consumption vary depending on overall diet, the characteristics of consumers, and the fish that is consumed. Risk–benefit assessments at regional, national or even subnational levels are needed to refine fish consumption recommendations considering local consumption habits, fish contamination levels and nutrient content, nutritional status of the population of interest, cultural habits and demographics.
The report also recommended nations develop and evaluate risk analysis strategies (risk assessment, risk management and risk communication) that maximise the benefits and minimise the risks from consuming fish.
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent marine neurotoxin and has been identified in a diverse range of marine organisms. TTX was historically confined to tropical waters in Asia, but is considered an emerging toxin in European waters. FAO is looking for experts to contribute to the evaluation of tetrodotoxins in aquatic foods. In addition, FAO is requesting governments, industry, academia, laboratories, and any other interested organizations and individuals to submit any available data and information that could contribute to the work.
Call for Experts: The FAO have requested nominations at your earliest convenience. Selection of candidates will begin on 30 June 2026 and will be completed when enough qualified candidates are identified.
Call for Data: Any data relevant for the development of scientific advice and feed Codex Alimentarius processes.
A FAO Ad hoc Expert Meeting for the Evaluation of Tetrodotoxins in Aquatic Foods is expected to be held in November 2026. Further information on this call is available here.
