AreaBilateral/Multilateral

Commodity GroupOilseeds, oils and meals

CommodityVegetable oils

Date01/07/2019

Policy CategoryOther

Policy InstrumentFood standards

DescriptionThe WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission approved a number of revisions to its Standard for Named Vegetable Oils, concerning, inter alia, high-oleic palm oil, virgin palm oil, crude palm kernel oil, palm superolein, and flax/linseed oil. Moreover, the body issued a code of practice for the reduction of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD esters) and glycidyl esters (GEs) in refined oils and food products made with refined oils.

NotesIn July, the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission approved a number of revisions to its ‘Standard for Named Vegetable Oils’, concerning, inter alia, high-oleic palm oil, virgin palm oil, crude palm kernel oil, palm superolein, and flax/linseed oil. Moreover, the body issued a code of practice for the reduction of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD esters) and glycidyl esters (GEs) in refined oils and food products made with refined oils. Although Codex standards and codes of practice are not binding, the WTO recognizes them as international reference in trade disputes concerning food safety and consumer protection.