Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Codex Alimentarius Sets New Lead Limits for Spices, Revises Food Safety Standards
Big international food safety rules group, called Codex Alimentarius Commission, just made some new rules.
They decided how much lead, a harmful metal, can be in spices like cinnamon and in herbs we cook with.
This is to keep us healthier, especially kids, because lead can hurt their brains.
They also updated rules about a nasty mold called aflatoxin that can grow on peanuts, as this mold can cause liver cancer.
To help people buy dates from other countries more easily, they created a new quality rule for fresh dates.
Lastly, they said it's okay to use old testing materials for checking pesticide amounts in food to save money and reduce trash.
These changes help make our food safer and trading food between countries smoother.
Codex Alimentarius Commission set maximum limits for lead in spices (2.5 mg/kg), dried bark (2.5 mg/kg), and culinary herbs (2 mg/kg).
These new lead limits aim to protect human health from toxic effects, including neurodevelopmental issues.
A revised code of practice was adopted to prevent and reduce aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, identified as potent liver carcinogens.
A new standard for fresh dates was adopted to ensure quality, safety, and facilitate international trade after a decade of work.
The commission will now permit the use of expired reference materials for pesticide residue testing to reduce costs and waste.
- Who
- The Codex Alimentarius Commission
- What
- Set maximum permissible limits for lead in spices and culinary herbs, revised a code of practice for aflatoxin in peanuts, adopted a standard for fresh dates, and permitted the use of expired reference materials for pesticide residue testing.
- When
- November 10-14 (meeting dates); Published November 12, 2025
- Where
- Rome
- Why
- To mitigate toxic effects of lead on human health, ensure consumer protection, reduce aflatoxin contamination (potent liver carcinogens), facilitate international trade of dates, and reduce costs and waste in pesticide residue testing.
Issue
Details
Lead Limits in Spices
Issue
Consumer protection and mitigation of toxic health effects.
Details
Maximum limits set at 2.5 mg/kg for lead in spices and dried bark, and 2 mg/kg for culinary herbs.
Aflatoxin Contamination
Issue
Reducing potent liver carcinogens and updating safety practices.
Details
Revised code of practice for preventing and reducing aflatoxins in peanuts, incorporating new information and practices.
Pesticide Residue Testing
Issue
Reducing costs and minimizing waste in laboratory testing.
Details
Permission granted to use expired reference materials for pesticide residue testing.
Fresh Dates Standard
Issue
Ensuring consumer trust and facilitating international trade.
Details
New standard adopted for fresh dates after a decade of work, focusing on quality and safety.
- Meeting Location
- Rome
- Meeting Dates
- November 10-14
- Lead Limit (Spices/Dried Bark)
- 2.5 mg/kg
- Lead Limit (Culinary Herbs)
- 2 mg/kg
- Aflatoxin Concern
- Potent liver carcinogens
- Fresh Dates Standard Development Time
- A decade