Codex CXS 193-1995
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed
Standard Introduction
Codex CXS 193-1995 is the international reference for contaminants and natural toxins in food and relevant feed. It combines risk-management principles with commodity-specific maximum or guideline levels, contaminant definitions, notes and associated sampling plans for international trade.
The current official text was last amended in November 2025. Codex recommendations are not a single global food law: manufacturers, laboratories, exporters and importers must apply the exact commodity entry and then verify the binding limit, method and enforcement rule in each destination market.
International Contaminant Baseline
Combines Codex principles, maximum levels, guideline levels and associated sampling plans for contaminants and natural toxicants in food and relevant feed moving in international trade.
Commodity-Specific Decisions
Each entry defines the contaminant, commodity or product portion, numerical level, units and relevant notes; a limit cannot be applied reliably without reading the exact row and sampling provisions.
2025 Consolidated Update
Adds lead limits for dried bark and dried culinary herbs and incorporates five marine-biotoxin groups so the standard remains Codex's single authoritative contaminant-level reference.
list_alt CXS 193 Control Decisions
- Confirm that the substance falls within the Codex contaminant or natural-toxin scope
- Identify the exact commodity, product portion and condition described by the entry
- Distinguish a maximum level from a guideline level
- Apply the listed units, notes and commodity definition
- Use the applicable Codex sampling plan and representative lot sampling
- Use validated analytical methods with suitable detection capability
- Reduce contamination as low as reasonably achievable through GAP and GMP
- Map Codex recommendations to binding destination-market law
Who Needs to Comply?
Food and feed manufacturers, primary producers, exporters, importers, commodity traders, laboratories, retailers, regulators, quality and food-safety teams, and supplier-assurance teams managing chemical contaminants, mycotoxins, marine biotoxins, radionuclides or other natural toxicants in international supply chains.
Key Requirements
Confirm Scope and Exclusions
Determine whether the substance is a contaminant or natural toxicant covered by CXS 193. Check the stated exclusions for pesticide residues, veterinary-drug residues, certain feed additives, microbial toxins and processing aids governed by other Codex committees.
Select the Exact Commodity Entry
Match the product to the precise commodity description, edible or analysed portion, state and intended use. Do not transfer a limit to a different or processed commodity without a supported basis.
Interpret the Level Correctly
Record whether the value is a maximum level or guideline level, the contaminant definition, numerical value, units, notes and cited toxicological or code-of-practice references.
Control Contamination at Source
Use good agricultural practice, good manufacturing practice and source-directed controls to keep contaminant levels as low as reasonably achievable, with supplier specifications and process controls matched to the hazard.
Apply Sampling and Analysis Rules
Use the sampling plan associated with the contaminant and commodity, take representative lot samples and use validated analytical methods capable of measuring around the applicable level.
Map National Requirements and Disposition
Compare the Codex reference with destination-market limits and methods, then define lot release, hold, investigation, rework, diversion, recall or disposal decisions and preserve the supporting evidence.
Implementation Roadmap
Build the product-market scope
List each food or feed commodity, product form, edible or analysed portion, supplier, origin and destination market. Identify the contaminants reasonably associated with the raw material, process, environment and packaging.
Map exact Codex and national limits
For every contaminant-product pair, capture the CXS 193 commodity definition, contaminant definition, maximum or guideline level, unit, notes and sampling plan, then compare the destination market's binding rule.
Design prevention and supplier controls
Set source, agricultural, manufacturing, storage, transport and supplier controls that keep contamination as low as reasonably achievable. Define specifications, change notification and escalation for higher-risk origins or seasons.
Validate sampling and laboratory methods
Use the applicable sampling plan, representative lot definition, sample preparation and validated method. Confirm accreditation scope, detection capability, measurement uncertainty, quality controls and reporting units before relying on results.
Release lots and monitor amendments
Apply documented release and disposition rules, investigate trends and failures, preserve traceability and laboratory evidence, and reassess the matrix after Codex, national, supplier, origin or process changes.
Compliance Checklist
checklist Scope and legal mapping
checklist Limits and specifications
checklist Sampling and analysis
checklist Prevention and disposition
Which food-contaminant reference answers which question?
Use CXS 193 for Codex contaminant levels and sampling references, related codes for prevention, and destination-market law for the enforceable decision.
| Reference | Primary question | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Codex CXS 193-1995 | What contaminant level, commodity definition and sampling reference does Codex recommend? | Voluntary international standard; amended 2025 |
| Related Codex code of practice | How can contamination be prevented or reduced at source? | Voluntary technical practice |
| ISO 22000:2018 / HACCP | How does the business govern hazards, suppliers, monitoring and corrective action? | Voluntary management or hazard-control framework |
| Destination-market food law | What limit and enforcement decision is legally binding for this shipment? | Mandatory in the relevant jurisdiction |
Common Misconceptions
Codex sets one universal legal contaminant limit for every market.
CXS 193 is an international recommendation. National law determines the enforceable limit, method, sampling rule and consequence.
The numerical limit alone is enough for a compliance decision.
The commodity definition, analysed portion, contaminant definition, unit, notes, sampling plan and applicable national rule are all part of the decision.
End-product testing can replace prevention controls.
CXS 193 calls for contamination to be kept as low as reasonably achievable through practices such as GAP and GMP; sampling cannot inspect quality into a poorly controlled process.
Penalties & Enforcement
Codex CXS 193-1995 is an international recommendation and does not itself impose fines or create a certification scheme. Governments decide which limits, sampling rules and enforcement measures apply in their jurisdictions. Consequences under national law can include shipment detention, rejection, recall, disposal, corrective action, fines or loss of market access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current edition of Codex CXS 193-1995?
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The official Codex catalogue and text identify CXS 193-1995 as active and last amended in 2025. The 2025 amendment added lead maximum levels for dried bark and dried culinary herbs, consolidated five marine-biotoxin groups and updated Annex X.
Is CXS 193 legally mandatory in every country?
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No. Codex standards are international recommendations. Each government determines the legally applicable contaminant limits, sampling rules and enforcement measures, so exporters must check every destination market.
Can one Codex limit be applied to every form of a food?
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No. A limit is tied to a defined commodity, product state, analysed portion, contaminant definition, unit and notes. Processed, dried, composite or differently prepared products may need a separate entry, conversion basis or national rule.
What is the difference between a maximum level and a guideline level?
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A Codex maximum level is the maximum concentration recommended to be legally permitted in the stated commodity. A guideline level is recommended as acceptable for international trade; when it is exceeded, governments decide whether and under what circumstances the food may be distributed in their jurisdiction.
Does a passing laboratory result prove the lot complies?
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Only if the correct limit, commodity definition, sampling plan, lot definition, method, reporting basis and national decision rule were used. Sampling uncertainty and non-homogeneous contaminants such as mycotoxins can make a single convenient sample misleading.
Does CXS 193 cover pesticide and veterinary-drug residues?
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Generally no. The scope excludes pesticide residues handled by the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues and veterinary-drug residues handled by the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods, along with other stated exclusions.
Official Documentation
Official PDF for Codex CXS 193-1995
Official publication or summary for Codex CXS 193-1995
Official online resource
Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO/WHO) guidance and reference material
Implementation toolkit
Templates, guidance, or companion resources for Codex CXS 193-1995